So art galleries aren’t the first attraction that naturally comes to mind when thinking of the things to see and do in The City That Never Sleeps…
But in keeping with the vibrant youthful attitude and atmosphere that is unique to the city, Tel Aviv art galleries have come into their own of late.
For those of you who don’t enjoy collections of fusty old paintings in reverent hushed museums you’ll find the best of Jewish art displayed to their best advantage in light airy, well structured galleries.
So, for an interesting sojourn into Tel Aviv art during your visit to Tel Aviv, here are five of the very best Tel Aviv art galleries…
Gerstein Gallery
Location: 99 Ben Yehuda Street
As well the being the permanent home of the display of the highly colorful metalwork sculptures of David Gerstein, which you may already be familiar with as some of his pieces are prominently installed outdoors around Tel Aviv, the gallery also holds temporary exhibitions in its underground space. White walls, polished wooden floors and sympathetic fluorescent lighting and plenty of space for you to contemplate and enjoy each piece, this is one of the many Tel Aviv art galleries in the block between Ben Gurion Boulevard and Gordon Street. Website: https://www.facebook.com/gerstein.gallery
Gordon Gallery
Location: 95 Ben Yehuda Street (now with two additional locations, at 4 Natan HaChacham Street and 6 HaPelech Street)
Just a couple of doors away from the Gerstein Gallery (see above), the Gordon is one of the oldest of the Tel Aviv art galleries, founded in 1966. The Gordon Gallery was and still is at the forefront of contemporary Tel Aviv art. If you enjoy photography, some of Israel’s most pre-eminent camera artists are regularly displayed at the Gordon and the gallery is the sole dealer for the works in the estate of the celebrated Dalia Amotz-Weislib. One of the house exhibitors is one of the most famous of all Tel Aviv artists, Joseph Zaritsky, and you can enjoy scenes of the city’s life in days gone by in his works. Website: http://www.gordongallery.co.il/
Noga Gallery
Location: 60 Ehad Ha’am Street
One of the newer Tel Aviv art galleries, the Noga is the place to see a mix of established works and some of the forerunners of the current Tel Aviv art scene. As well as the main exhibition space you can visit the Project Room and view pieces by artists in their very first showings. With an emphasis on being a completely flexible space you never know what passes as modern art awaits you here. Website: http://www.nogagallery.com/
Stern Gallery
Location: 30 Gordon Street
Another of the Tel Aviv art galleries that has been around since the 1960s, the Stern Gallery grew up with a legacy of traditional paintings but now has expanded onto the contemporary scene. Alongside the famous names of Menashe Kadishman, Yigal Tumerkin, Anna Ticho you can view paintings by young and up and coming artists. Website: http://www.sternart.com/
Engel Gallery
Location: 26 Gordon Street
Probably the most famous of the Tel Aviv art galleries, the Engel has been attracting visitors since 1955. There’s a large collection of works of established Israeli and Jewish artists such as Zaritzky, Mokadi, Ardon, Rubin, Levanon, Litvinovsky , Bergner, Mairowitz, Steimaztky, Castel and Anna Ticho. The Engel also supports the current Tel Aviv art scene with regular temporary exhibitions of young and new artists. This is also the place to go if you want a more museum touch to your art viewing. At the Engel you can also see Chagall, Miro, Renoir, Gaugin, Bonnard and Kissling amongst many. Website: http://engel-art.co.il/
Need more??
Then check out the impressive and rejuvenated Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the ultimate stop for art lovers in Tel Aviv…
And if the above Tel Aviv art galleries don’t leave you satisfied, you might want to check out the contemporary Tel Aviv art event of the year – Fresh Paint. Held annually in April, there’s no set location so you’ll need to check listings if you want to include it in your tour itinerary. It’s the chance to commune with other art lovers, professional artists and view and buy pieces on sale. Highly recommended.