Koren Shadmi, born in Israel, took up work as a cartoonist and illustrator in his
early teens for multiple magazines. Publishing his first graphic novel at 17, proceeded
after another book consisting of his works from children’s magazines. Then to work as a
graphic designer for the Israeli Defense Force. Soon after his completion with the
Defense Force, Shadmi, transfered to the Big Apple, New York, where he went to study
in the School of Visual Arts. After recieving his bachelor degree, his works have
appeared in abundant international collections.
Koren has mentioned some of his non-illustrated and illustrated influences, such
as Ingmar Bergman, who created horrific scenes through film, another would be
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, a Yokiyo-e artist of japan, and Alejandro Jodorowsky, who creates
comics but as well a filmmaker.
Korens illustrations have been posted in the Boston Globe Magazine, ESPN,
New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, UTNE Reader, Washington Post, and many
more. As well has taken part in multiple national and international art shows. His most
recent shows were the 2007 and 2008, Isreal and Helsinki biannual.
His work could be said as inspirational, and diverse. His work can sit more on
the cartoony side, but still has realistic human characteristics. Most of his work is mainly
used to portray political subjects, or mere personal drawing. Many of his colors stand
out, and are very intense, many of his work consists of contrasting colors. Such as his
work “Career Coach”, which use the contrasting colors of blue and orange, or the
“college issue, campus scene” which is mainly green and red. He knows how to work
with the space and create affects with plain negative space. From looking at his work
you can see his high detail, but at the same time its simplicity. Alot of his work
essentially consists of a main focal point and then alot of empty space in the
background, which is developed with one color, and a bit of shading around the edges.
However, thats what makes his work unique, by making the viewer know that the
background is somewhat there with a sky or a few buildings, but not overwhelming the
scene. Its a subtle way of looking at a interesting piece of artwork. One work that truly
interests me is the illustration based off the “Great Gatsby” which he said had such
great detail in the vividness of the 1920’s. His favorite scene he claims is when Gatsby
has his house lit to the point it almost looks as if it were in flames. Shadmi said on his
site,
“Gatsby’s house was a symbol to his overblown desire for Daisy, and I had an idea to
show the relationship between the two. Another element that struck me was how Gatsby
had turned Daisy into a larger then life figure, an enormous fantasy which he desired so
badly that it came completely dominate his life.”
The work consisted of daisy laying upon a hill cast in blue at night, while a mansion sits
at the top of the house with light beaming from the sides as if the sun was just going
down for the night. All Koren Shadmi’s work is inspirational to look at, and try to
understand. They all have a deep meaning, and consist of beautifully vibrant colors.
Works Cited
Shadmi, Koren. "no caption needed." koren Shadmi. 2010.18 Feburary 2011.web.
References
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