10 Questions with Hadas Porges

Hadas Porges is a young Artist, who lives in Israel, and has been painting since she was little. She started painting for self enjoyment, and continued by studying art in high school, and in Central Saint Martins’ short course of Orientation to Art. Upon completing the short course, she had decided to take art more seriously, by painting continuously her emotions and observations with oil on canvases.

Hadas exhibited in several exhibitions in Israel during the last three years, won the Contemporary Art Prize of “contemporary art curator”, and exhibited in London’s Boomer’s Gallery. In addition, she is a programmer, as she is interested in Computer Science, and studies it in Israel’s Open University. Art and Technology are both big part of her life, and she believes that following both passions gives her a unique point of view as an Artist.

@hadasporges.art

INTERVIEW

When and how did you start getting involved with art? 

I have been drawing and painting ever since I can remember. It became an integral part of my life, that I can’t imagine not doing. I mostly painted for personal enjoyment at home, but also took private drawing classes on the age of twelve. As I progressed, I chose to delve deeper by studying it in high school, and discovered how art goes far beyond just painting. 
Back then, I thought I had to choose between art and my other passion of computer science. After completing a short course at Central Saint Martins, I realized that perhaps I don’t have to be torn between both passions, and that art can coexist with my love for Computer Science. I knew it will be difficult, but decided to embrace the challenge.

Are you still following the same inspiration? And how did your work evolve over time?

My inspiration is my emotions, thoughts, experiences, and observations on the world. My paintings are a reflection of my point of view, and it changes as I discover more about myself and about the world. It evolves with every new painting, with the subjects I choose to paint, the colors, the size, and yet, my style and technique remains, as a signature. As a child, I also had a signature and a unique style, as I mostly painted nature, with the same lady with a hat. As I grew up, the subjects of my paintings became more complicated, and so did my style. 

Let’s talk about your work. What inspired you to work with painting? 

My work comes from stories, sentences, and emotions I hear and see around me, that inspire me into images I have to bring to life. Painting is my way of expressing those emotions, immortalize them, and share them with the world. For me it is like writing a diary, only with colors, bold brush strokes, and movement. They say an image is worth a thousand words, however a painting can be worth even more.

How would you define your style? And how has it evolved over the years? 

My style is expressive, powerful, strongly colored images of figures and characters, that tell a story. With my paintings I examine the potency of body language to tell more than face expressions. Therefore, my paintings are focused on body movement, deliberately leaving facial expressions blank. 
I started creating these characters in high school, doodling in my notebook. The wild hair and blank face I drew for the first time as a self portrait, for an art class. That was when I discovered the ability to convey strong emotions without relying on facial expressions - a realisation that captivated me.
Upon completing a short art course in London, I decided to take art more seriously, and these characters became a central theme in my work.
Initially, my paintings leaned towards darker tones with colourful characters set against a dark blue background. However, in my recent works, I've shifted towards brighter, white canvases."

How do you choose the subjects of your paintings? And what is your creative process like?

Usually the subjects I choose come from emotions triggered by observations or personal experiences, creating a blurred image of it in my mind. Then I start unraveling the image, focusing on the small details, ensuring all the pieces come together and express my thoughts as precise as possible. 
The subjects therefore are diverse, ranging from simple moments to intimate reflections and broader themes like societal or global changes.
Once I discover the image, I create a draft of it, and begin painting it on the canvas. The entire process spans a few months, during which I add layers to the painting until I am truly satisfied with the result. While I paint, I am completely invested in the process, listening to loud music, and shutting the outside world.

In your statement, you mention how Art and Technology are both big parts of your life. How does technology influence your work? Do you work digitally or plan to do so in the future?

In addition to art I am a programmer, and study Computer Science in Israel’s Open University. Computer Science has been a passion of mine in addition to my passion of art, and a few years ago I decided that instead of choosing one of them, I will be both an artist and a programmer. 
Many people say that this combination does not come along, however for me, they are very similar. 
Both art and Computer Science are about creating, as a result of observing the world, and responding to it. They both demand an idea and an implementation of it, ensuring that every single detail aligns with the concept.
I love creating, and love thinking of solutions and expressions for my ideas that match from macroscopic view to the minutest detail.
I do not plan to work digitally, because for me art has to be physical, in order to express my emotions. 
I acknowledge the complexities of pursuing both art and programming, recognizing that it's not a conventional path. Yet, I firmly believe that art, being a reaction to experiences and emotions, requires a diverse life experience beyond the artistic realm.
For example, one of my latest paintings are about my experience as a woman in a place where there are mostly men. It is something I wouldn’t necessarily experience if I hadn’t been also a programmer. I believe that following both my passions will in fact make my art more unique, and therefore will make me a better artist.

What do you hope that the public takes away from your work?

My primary hope is for the public to take my emotions away from my work. My paintings can be interpreted in many ways, and I acknowledge that what I perceive in my paintings may differ for others. Nevertheless, as long as they evoke people feelings and thoughts, I’m satisfied. 

What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future in terms of new projects? 

In these horrifying days, marked by sorrow and hardship in my country, I am immersed in projects that aim to capture the emotions of war, loss, raped women and girls, families’ suffering, or even heroism. 
I think it is of those paintings I must paint for myself, to understand what I feel, but also as a duty to document the collective experiences of my country for generations to come.

Do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations you are looking forward to?

Currently I don't have any specific upcoming shows or collaborations on the horizon. However, I mostly hope for a solo exhibition, and continue painting until I have enough paintings for such an exhibition. 

Finally, what is your biggest goal for 2024?

My biggest goal for 2024 is to have an international exhibition showing some of my paintings, or even my first solo exhibition. 

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.