Binyamin Basteker was born in Mumbai in 1953. Growing up in a family of artists, his unique talent was discovered at a very early age. He perfected the art of portraiture and color while still living in India. Following his immigration to Israel in 1969, he studied with the modern Israeli masters and was considered to be one of the promising young abstract artists of the 1980s. In the mid-1980s he became observant and ceased to exhibit his work.
The artist’s inaugural solo exhibition of oil paintings entitled “Stones that Speak” set Basteker apart from the mainstream of “modern” Jewish, religious painters. Whereas in many instances the theme of the painting, whether it be the Kotel or Jerusalem or the wealth of themes available to the observant artist, becomes the goal of the artist, Basteker relates to the “theme” as the “excuse” for the painting. Basteker searches for balance and harmony in his life and translates this to color and texture and motion. Nothing is his work is arbitrary. Every stroke and splash, every line and curve contribute to the perfect composition.
The artist’s selection of tools, a result of an immediate inspiration, greatly affects the application of the color and texture. His works are sophisticated and worthy of deep examination. Tremendous layers of thought and spirituality are engraved in each and every work. Yet to the casual viewer, the paintings are aesthetically pleasing on a very simplistic level. On first glance, we see a beautiful bouquet or garden. Yet as the viewer’s eye travels and dissects the composition, we might imagine a maestro conducting a symphony orchestra or a pianist’s graceful fingers dancing over the keyboard.
“Jerusalem Flowers” are unique to the Holy City. This collection could not have been created any place else in the world. The light emanating from the canvas is so unique to the city of Jerusalem. Although the series began several months earlier, many of the works were created while the city was in lockdown for COVID19. It is the artist’s belief that we must look for the positive in every situation and out of this we are able to bring this beautiful collection.
Uri Rosenbach