|
Issue #39 August
2003
Fabric Artist Lea
Ben-Arye
Fabric
designer Lea Ben-Arye's natural artistic talents are apparent in
the fashion pieces she creates. With no formal fashion design background,
Ben-Arye designs, produces, and sells her one-of-a-kind fashion
accessories from her studio
in the artist village of Ein Hod. The timeless fashion pieces --
scarves, jackets, coats, wraps -- are created with a screening method
that she developed. |
 |
|
|
First Ben-Arye
blocks the screen with an emulsion. Then she puts pieces of oddly-shaped
torn paper onto the fabric. Although the precut pieces of paper
have a random look, in fact, Ben-Arye carefully selects the composition.
The screen is then placed on top of the fabric to hold the paper
in place. Paint is applied. Ben-Arye then mixes the paints to
achieve unusual colors and tones. She adds pigments and metal
dust to achieve a unique look each time. The paints are acryllic-based
and the garments washable.
A native born
Israeli, Ben-Arye's family has lived in the city of Safed for
four generations. Her roots in the art of printmaking go back
three generations, but Ben-Arye prints in a different medium than
did her ancestors.
|
| Since
her marriage to artist Dan Ben-Arye, she has lived in Ein Hod. The
success of her timeless fashion accessories has allowed Ben-Arye
to realize her dream of making a living from her art -- the dream
of all artists. Ten years ago, she opened a boutique in the village
where visitors from all over the come to buy her fashions. |
 |
Text and photos
by Judith Isaacson.
|