Step into the Light with Israeli Artist Ron Chen

Art advisor and curator Michelle Azout has brought Ron Chen’s ethereal work to Miami, and the overarching theme of his collection can be summed up in one word: light. Currently residing in New York, this is Chen’s first solo exhibition in the U.S. In the show titled ‘Eternal Window,’ Ron’s art features landscapes of Israel created with an intricate process of layering tiny dots of paint, an impressive technique that feels reminiscent of impressionism.

Curator Michelle Azout explains, “This work does have a sense of impressionism, which was a nineteenth century phenomenon where artists were trying to capture light and the moment.” Interestingly, Ron once mentioned to her that as he’s adding paint to the canvas, it’s almost like he’s chiseling away like a sculptor. Ron says, “I love to think about it as sculpting light, because it’s light that gives shape to things.”

Two Candles series by Ron Chen / Photo by Brooke Davanzo

The source of inspiration for this collection is as charming as the art itself. Years ago, Ron’s mother began a weekly ritual of sending a photo of her Shabbat candles to the family’s WhatsApp chat—a way to connect with one another no matter where they were in the world. Ron, in London at the time, noted the pixelated appearance of the photo before it was fully downloaded and started to think about a technique to capture this blurry state of the image.

Ron was taken by the idea of the fleeting moment of the candles (lasting only an hour or two), and the universal idea of fire and light in contrast to his mother’s candles being quite personal. He says, “It was this luminous phenomenon of the image that I essentially tried to grasp with paint.”

Close-up view of Kinneret by Ron Chen

Ron’s personal connection to his art’s subject matter is palpable. With Kinneret he describes, “Essentially what I tried to do here is make a window, literally, into a moment. I think with all of them, but with this one specifically…something about the light is so Israeli and so charged with this nostalgia, a longing for this place.”

Michelle adds, “Ron’s encapsulating in the work the senses. What does that place smell like, what does it feel like, how does the light feel when you’re there? When you look at these works, they beg you to come close and to also step back. I think that’s what’s really powerful.”

Two Candles series and Kinneret by Ron Chen / Photo by Brooke Davanzo

Based in Miami, art advisor and curator Michelle Azout has a newfound purpose after seeing unprecedented levels of Jew hatred in the art world. She says, “For me, on a personal level post-October 7th, I’ve definitely been trying to give a platform where I can to Israeli and Jewish artists—to be able to put their art forward.” She was able to do just that with her ‘Homeland’ exhibition last November, featuring the work of more than forty Israeli artists. Michelle views ‘Eternal Window’ as a continuation of this effort, which she now considers to be her professional mission.

Curator Michelle Azout in front of Two Candles series and Kinneret by Ron Chen. (Brooke Davanzo)

In reference to the recent discrimination taking place in the art world, Michelle says: “If you look at art and culture as an open-minded way of people connecting (which is what I believe it is, and why I love working with art—to connect people), to shut down a voice completely is so prejudiced and racist. I think it’s antithetical to arts and culture to shut down an entire group of people.”

Michelle continues, “I have to say that I’ve lived in New York (I worked for a number of years at the Guggenheim), I’ve lived and worked in California…I feel that Miami is the best possible place to be doing this type of work. We have an amazing community that comes out to support us, both Jewish and non-Jewish, that is very open and supportive and wants to live in harmony with their Jewish and Israeli neighbors.”

Ron Chen: ‘Eternal Window’ opening reception in Miami / Photo by Brooke Davanzo

The theme of light emanating throughout Ron’s work exists even in the exhibition’s title. ‘Eternal Window’ (a nod to Yehuda Amichai’s poem of the same name) is a thoughtful and fitting representation of this collection.

Describing the parallels between Amichai’s poem and Chen’s art, Michelle notes the author’s reference to “an eternal light that persistently glows, against all odds, despite tragic, ominous conditions. We felt it was a poignant way to explain what is truly unexplainable with words. Not only do Ron’s works reference the light coming through, they are adding light and positivity to what has been a really dark time.”

Ron Chen: ‘Eternal Window’ will be on display through April 17, 2025.

—

For more information, visit michelleazout.com/eternalwindow