Gideon Gechtman

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Gideon Gechtman (born 1942) is an Israeli artist and sculptor. He has won many prizes and represented Israel at the Venice Biennale in 2001. His environmental sculptures can be seen in several Israeli cities and his creations have been exhibited in Israel's main museums.

Gechtman was born in Alexandria, Egypt. He migrated to the British mandate of Palestine in 1945, and he was six years old when Israel gained independence. He studied at the Avni Institute, Ealing School of Art, Hammersmith College of Art and Tel Aviv University.

Many of his works contain a dialogue with the death. In 1973, he exhibited at the Yodfat Gallery in Tel Aviv enlarged photographs of him preparing for open heart surgery. In 2002, he exhibited a remodelled hospital environment under the name Yotam, named after his son who had died.

Gechtman taught at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem (1972-1975) and the Art Teachers' College in Ramat Hasharon (1971-1992). He is married to Bat-Sheva Zeisler and lives in Rishon Lezion.

[edit] Prizes

2002 Haifa Museum Award for Art for distinguished achievement in contemporary creative arts
1999 George and Janet Geffin Prize for Excellence in Plastic Arts, America-Israel Cultural Foundation
1997 Israel Discount Bank Prize for an Israeli Artist, Israel Museum, Jerusalem
1995 Tel Aviv Museum Prize
1993 Minister of Science and Arts Prize for Creations in the Realm of Plastic Arts
1990 Histadrut Prize
1989 Ministry of Education Prize for Completion of Project
1970 Royal Academy, London