Rhea Carmi facts for kids

Reaching Out - Earth Music
Artist	Rhea Carmi
Year	2009 (2009)
Type	Mixed media, Box-spring, tar paper, twine and paint
Dimensions	180 cm × 150 cm × 24 cm (72 in × 60 in × 9.5 in)
Location	Los Angeles

Rhea Carmi (Hebrew: ברוריה כרמי; born in 1942) is an Israeli American artist. She creates abstract and mixed-media artworks, and is also a sculptor. For over 50 years, her art has explored big ideas. She looks at human feelings, challenges, and the strong spirit of people. She uses abstract shapes and many different materials in her art. Carmi's work has been shown all over the world. She has had exhibitions in Israel, Europe, Australia, New York, and Los Angeles. People know her for her unique way of seeing things and her hands-on approach to making art.

Early life and learning

Rhea Carmi was born in Jerusalem. This city is known for its deep history and strong spirit. She began her art studies at Tel-Aviv University from 1974 to 1976. Later, she continued her learning at the Ramat-Gan Institute for the Arts from 1977 to 1979. Two important Israeli artists, Arie Aroch and Motti Mizrachi, greatly influenced her. They helped her develop her special style of abstract and mixed-media art.

Artistic journey

Carmi's art career shows her strong dedication. She explores what it means to be human through her abstract and mixed-media pieces. For more than five decades, she has created many artworks. She uses a wide range of materials like oils, sand, water, treated paper, canvas, and wood.

How she creates art

Rhea Carmi uses a special technique. She layers, smooths, and sculpts these materials. This creates abstract images that you can enjoy both by looking and by touching. Her artworks often look like maps of feelings or personal landscapes. They are like a diary of events that affect people and nature. Her art often focuses on thinking deeply, dealing with challenges, human feelings, and the effects of power.

Carmi has been an active part of the art world. She was a member of the ARTROM Gallery Guild. She also helped judge the ARTROM International Art Competition in 2008. Art experts have praised her work. Peter Frank, an art critic, said her vision is "distinctive." He also noted her impressive way of using a "difficult formal language." Roberta Carasso, an art writer, called Rhea "one of the most dedicated artists." She added that Carmi "continuously creates art that has depth and meaning."

Art style and themes

Rhea Carmi's art style is known for her creative use of mixed media. She makes abstract shapes that show deep feelings and important ideas. She uses materials like oils, sand, water, treated paper, canvas, and wood. She layers and sculpts them to make art that is both interesting to see and to touch. Her art is famous for its tactile quality. This means viewers can experience it with more than just their eyes.

The "Dark Series"

One important group of her artworks is the "Dark Series." She created this series in 2007. It was her response to the 2006 conflict between Israel and Lebanon. It also reflected personal family challenges she faced. Art critic Peter Frank described this series. He said it uses simpler colors and shapes. The works in this series show human weakness and a "persistent glow of hope." The series includes soft, three-dimensional shapes. It also features copper-colored panels with "windows." White shapes on black backgrounds symbolize order and peace during difficult times.

Art shows and exhibitions

Rhea Carmi has had many solo and group art shows around the world. Her exhibition history shows her international presence. It also highlights how many people enjoy her art. Here are some of her notable exhibitions:

• 1980 Beit Yad LeBanim Tel Aviv, Israel
• 1980 The Tel-Aviv Art Pavilion Tel Aviv, Israel
• 1980/1981 Turel Art Gallery Tel Aviv, Israel
• 1981 13&1/2 Gallery Jaffa, Israel
• 1984 Pacific Design Center Los Angeles, CA
• 2004 Lawrence Asher Gallery Los Angeles, CA
• 2004 B.G.H Gallery Santa Monica, CA
• 2004 TarFest Los Angeles, CA
• 2005 Lawrence Asher Gallery Los Angeles, CA
• 2005 Municipal Art Gallery Los Angeles, CA
• 2006 The Gotthelf Art Gallery Los Angeles, CA
• 2006 Lawrence Asher Gallery Los Angeles, CA
• 2006 Klapper Gallery Los Angeles, CA
• 2007 LA Contemporary Los Angeles, CA
• 2007 Art Pic North Hollywood, CA
• 2007 Galerie Le Cocon Hamburg, Germany
• 2007 Torrance Art Museum Torrance, CA
• 2007/2008 Riverside Art Museum Riverside, CA
• 2008 Soka University of America, Founder's Hall Art Gallery Aliso Viejo, CA
• 2008 Frank Pictures Gallery Santa Monica, CA
• 2008 Villa di Donato Napoli, Italy
• 2009 Concordia University Irvine, CA
• 2009 CAP Gallery Laguna Beach, CA
• 2009 USC Hillel/companion show to MAG(Barnsdall) LA, CA
• 2010 Bell Gallery Los Angeles, CA
• 2010 Gotthelf Art Gallery La Jola, CA
• 2010 the Jewish Federation's Bell Family Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
• 2010 Four Seasons Hotel Gallery, Westlake Village, CA
• 2010 Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Ana, CA
• 2010 Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
• 2010 Gotthelf Art Gallery, La Jolla, CA
• 2010 Four Seasons Hotel Gallery, Westlake Village, CA
• 2011 Four Seasons Hotel Gallery, Westlake Village, CA
• 2011 "Text and Texture", Fresh Paint Gallery, Culver City, CA
• 2012 Four Seasons Hotel Gallery, Westlake Village, CA
• 2012 Keller Williams, Encino, CA
• 2012 LA Art Platform, Santa Monica, CA
• 2012 "40/40" USC Hillel, Santa Monica, CA

Art in public places

Her art has also been shown in important places. These include the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. Her work was also featured at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California. Art magazines have written about Carmi's exhibitions. These include California Contemporary Art Magazine (September/October 2010), THE Magazine (October 2008), and the OC Register (September 2008). This shows her important influence in the art world.

Personal life

Rhea Carmi lives in California with her husband. They have been married for over 50 years as of 2025. She continues to live and work in Los Angeles. She is still an active and important artist in the community there.

See also

• Abstract art
• Mixed media