SAVE THE DATE and PREVIEW: “Revisiting Humanity: Secrets and Lifetimes” Solo Exhibition by Tami Bahat at Building Bridges Art Exchange – Saturday January 6th (6-9pm)

Tami Bahat Sets the Tableaux

Opening on January 6th, 2018, Los Angeles photographer Tami Bahat will present her first solo exhibition titled “Revisiting Humanity: Secrets and Lifetimes” in Los Angeles at Building Bridges Art Exchange in Bergamot Station. The show curated by Marisa Caichiolo will feature new work from her ongoing series Dramatis Personae.

Sometimes an artist comes along and you feel they must be the reincarnation of a renowned historic master, or perhaps a student of theirs at the very least. In the case of multiple award-winning artist Tami Bahat, she is certainly channeling an old master painter, possibly Rembrandt or Vermeer, in her signature style of carefully composed photographs. Her work is unmistakable, created in the Renaissance style of portrait composition, selective prop usage, and dramatic Rembrandt –style lighting, a technique sometimes used in studio portraits, but rarely done so well. Creating complex arranged sets often incorporating animals, Bahat’s portraits are lush and inspired tableaux vignettes that mimic the grandeur and serious posture of historic period pieces.

             “Lighting is a huge part of creating the proper mood and expression of each piece.    The small details always make up the big picture.”

Although inspired by those stark and serious portraits of the past, Bahat infuses that old-world charm with her own witty, modern twist. Using family and friends as models gives her work a more personal tone, as she creates stories supplemented by unusual props and the addition of animals, including exotic birds, an enormous snake, and once, a baboon that grabbed a paintbrush and headed for an easel (hence the need for professional animal handlers!) Her elaborate period costumes and antique accouterments come from a variety of places, including estate sales and flea markets, auctions, and an opera house.

Born in Israel, Bahat moved to Los Angeles with her family when she was two years old, although she never lost touch with her heritage, and claims it had a great influence on her work. Her father had been a teacher at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, and gave her a camera as a young girl, passing along his love of art, as did her grandmother who was an avid collector.

           “My father looked at art like it was magic. His face would light up with excitement and awe, and his entire being would change. He was a huge admirer of Old Master Painters and would point out small details to me about their work as if they were secrets. He always said that he had no idea what I would become when I grew up, but he couldn’t be any more proud to have a daughter that’s an artist. I feel so fortunate to have always had that tremendous support.”

Bahat’s extensive list of exhibitions includes shows from the East coast to the West and multiple points in between, art fairs in Palm Beach, Florida, and Hong Kong, and showing at the Carousel du Louvre in Paris, France.

Exhibition:
“Revisiting Humanity: Secrets and Lifetimes” by Tami Bahat
January 7th – February 8th
Tuesday to Friday 11:30 am – 5 pm
Saturday 12 pm – 6 pm

Opening Reception:
January 6th (6-9pm)
Hosted by Erika Christensen

Address:
Building Bridges Art Exchange
Bergamot Station Art Center
2525 Michigan Avenue, Unit F2
Santa Monica, CA 90404