Sorel Etrog Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Sorel Etrog

Born	(1933-08-29)August 29, 1933 Iaşi, Kingdom of Romania
Died	February 26, 2014(2014-02-26) (aged 80) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Education	Institute of Painting and Sculpture, Tel Aviv; Brooklyn Museum of Art
Known for	Sculptor painter writer book illustrator
Notable work	Designer of award for the Canadian Film Awards
Spouse(s)	Lika Behar (married 1967)
Awards	Order of Canada, Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

Sorel Etrog (August 29, 1933 – February 26, 2014) was a famous artist. He was born in Romania and later became a Canadian citizen. Etrog was best known for his amazing sculptures.

He also worked as a painter, writer, and philosopher. His art often showed his experiences from World War II. He liked to use bronze in his sculptures. Etrog was one of Canada's most important artists in the 1960s. He helped make sculpture more popular in Canada.

Sorel Etrog's Early Life and Training
Sorel Etrog's Art Career
Death and Lasting Impact
Works
Honours
See also

Sorel Etrog's Early Life and Training

Sorel Etrog was born in Iaşi, Romania, in 1933. He started his art training in 1945. In 1950, his family moved to Israel.

He studied at the Institute of Painting and Sculpture in Tel Aviv starting in 1953. In 1958, he had his first art show in Tel Aviv. This show helped him win a scholarship. He then studied at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in New York City from 1958 to 1963.

In 1959, Etrog met Samuel Zacks, an art collector from Toronto. This meeting led to Etrog's first art show in Canada. It was held at Gallery Moos in Toronto. In 1963, Etrog moved from New York to Toronto. He then became a Canadian citizen.

In 1965, he moved to Florence, Italy. He began making his sculptures at the Michelucci Foundry. He continued to use this foundry for all his future works. During this time, he often visited his family in Israel. On one trip, he met Lika Behar, a fashion designer. She later moved to Florence to live with him.

In 1967, Etrog was badly hurt in a car accident. Because of this, he and Lika moved to Toronto. They got married there.

Sorel Etrog's Art Career

Since the late 1950s, Sorel Etrog's art has been shown a lot. His works have been in many solo and group shows. These shows took place across Canada and around the world.

Etrog's art is found in major cities worldwide. He received several important requests for his art. These included works for Expo 67 in Montreal. He also created art for the SunLife Centre in Toronto. Other works are in the Windsor Sculpture Garden in Ontario. He also made art for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. His work is also at Olympic Park in Seoul, South Korea.

His largest work is called Powersoul. He made it for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. In 1966, Etrog's art represented Canada. His works were shown at the Venice Biennale. In 1968, Etrog was asked to design an award. This award was for the Canadian Film Awards. It was first called the "Etrog." Later, it was renamed the "Genie."

Etrog was also known for his writing. He published plays, poetry, and non-fiction books. He worked with many famous people. His most famous collaborations were book illustrations. He made these for Eugène Ionesco and Samuel Beckett in the late 1960s. Etrog also worked with Marshall McLuhan. They created a book called Spiral. This book was based on Etrog's film of the same name. The film was shown on CBC television in 1975.

Many articles and books have been written about Etrog. A big book about his work was published in 2001. In March 2008, a major show of his paintings was held. It was at the Buschlen Mowatt Gallery in Vancouver. The Art Gallery of Ontario held a large show of his work in 2013. This happened around his eightieth birthday.

Death and Lasting Impact

Sorel Etrog passed away on February 26, 2014. He was 80 years old. After his death, his art and collection are managed by his official Estate.

The Jay & Barbara Hennick Family Wellness Centre has many of his artworks. This center is at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. Close to 100 of his artworks are part of their health program.

Works

Sorel Etrog's Complexes of a young lady (1960/62)
Sorel Etrog's sculpture in Odette Sculpture Park Windsor Canada.
Sorel Etrog's sculpture Flight was commissioned by the Pavilion of Canada, Expo 67, and is now part of the Bank of Canada collection.
Sorel Etrog's sculpture Flight was commissioned by the Pavilion of Canada, Expo 67, and is now part of the Bank of Canada collection.
Sorel Etrog's The Hand in Toronto (1972)