Israeli Photographer Atalia Katz presents her solo premier exhibition, Voice of Ethiopia, from 8-30 April at ZONE: CONTEMPORARY ART in New York City. Voice of Ethiopia captures the day to day life of Ethiopian Jews, considered by many to be one of the lost tribes of Israel. Katz was introduced to the Beta Israel community in January when she travelled to Ethiopia on a spiritual journey. Katz’s photographs of the makeshift, metal-hut synagogues of the transit camps reveal vital centers of faith and social life. A grid of nine photographs on display at the gallery will spotlight the religious rituals and daily experience of this unique cultural enclave. ZONE: CONTEMPORARY ART is located at 41 West 57th Street, NYC.

Press Release

ISRAELI PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTURES ETHIOPIAN JUDAISM

Atalia Katz to share her spiritual Ethiopian experience at first exhibit

New York, NY – March 23, 2010 - Raw, spiritual images documenting the life of Ethiopian Jews will be on display April 8-30, 2010, when Israeli Photographer Atalia Katz presents her solo premier exhibition, “Voice of Ethiopia,” at ZONE: CONTEMPORARY ART, 41 West 57th Street.

“Voice of Ethiopia” captures the day to day life of Ethiopian Jews, considered by many to be one of the lost tribes of Israel. Katz was introduced to the Beta Israel community in January when she traveled to Ethiopia on a spiritual journey. The group included 8,700 people now waiting in the city of Gondar to emigrate, hoping to join the more than 120,000 Ethiopians already living in Israel. A portion of the proceeds from the photography sales will go toward helping them migrate.

“How important is Ethiopia - a Christian country, in Africa, hosting this cultural phenomenon with total respect, understanding, tolerance and harmony,” said Katz, a former real estate executive who discovered photography while traveling the world in 2007. “I feel so privileged being given the opportunity to capture and show those angels’ voices.”

Katz’s photographs of the makeshift, metal-hut synagogues of the transit camps reveal vital centers of faith and social life. A grid of nine photographs on display at the gallery will spotlight the religious rituals and daily experience of this unique cultural enclave. A video on view will also offers an opportunity to experience the dynamic music and dance of their ceremonies. 

This is Katz’s first exhibit and the first time the gallery has hosted a solo photographic exhibition. Director Jennifer Bahng said each one of Katz’s photos stand on their own as a work of art.

“The odds of a new artist having a solo exhibit on 57th Street in New York City is practically unheard of,” Bahng said. “Katz’s photographs open a window into a world that, however unfamiliar it may first appear, resonates with our deepest compassion and respect.”

In honor of Ethiopian Jews, ZONE: CONTEMPORARY ART will publish a limited-edition catalogue which includes selected photographs signed by Katz, Bahng’s director’s statement, Katz’s artist statement and biography. A portion of the proceeds will also go to helping them to relocate.

The gallery has featured works by modern and contemporary masters, Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons. It also represents many promising, talented artists including Jackie Matisse, Richard Mayhew, R.C.Baker and Lee Kiyoung.

An opening reception will be held in honor of Katz at the gallery on April 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information call ZONE: CONTEMPORARY ART at 212-255-2177 or visit www.zonecontemporary.com.

Atalia Katz is a freelance photojournalist currently based in New York City. She is a mother of four and a grandmother of nine. Throughout her life she has nursed her creativity by sculpting, sewing, knitting, quilting, cooking and writing. Katz said that photography provides her the “primary tools for expressing the inner self - the excitement, the exhilaration of creation of every moment.”

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