oded-halahmy-iraqi-israeli-american-b-1938-i-baghdad-lights-for-peace-i-menorah
Lot 6144
Oded Halahmy (Iraqi / Israeli / American, b. 1938), Baghdad Lights for Peace, Menorah
Lot Details & Additional Photographs
2004, aluminum, sculptural menorah cast in pomegranate forms, the base impressed with edition number 3/9, signed and dated to base.

23 x 20 x 20 in.

Although New York has been his home for over 45 years, memories of Iraq left an indelible imprint on his life and work. Born in Baghdad, Iraq, 1938 Immigrated to Israel,1951. Halahmy studied at St. Martin’s School of Art, London, England (1966-68), He moved to Toronto, Canada in 1969 and eventually New York City in 1971. Known for his dynamic yet often playful figurative sculptures in wood and bronze, he fills his work with images — albeit abstracted from reality — that evoke the landscape, architecture and rich colors of the Middle East. Palm trees, doves, pomegranates, temples and age-old symbols abound along with deep reds, amber, sky blue and the familiar greenish-blue hues of aged bronze. He sees these universal symbols – the palm representing righteousness and growth and the pomegranate symbolizing love and fertility. Ultimately the balance and beauty inherent in these dynamic forms merge as expressions of Halahmy’s dedication to peace in the world.

The central pomegranate element is loose, detaches from stem; otherwise good estate condition.