Binyamin BastekerShirat Hayam, 2020

Binyamin Basteker, Shirat Hayam

oil on canvas
90 × 75 cm (35 × 30 in)

About the Artwork

Shirat HaYam ("The Song at the Sea") offers a powerful interpretation of the biblical moment when the Israelites stood safely upon the far shore of the Red Sea and erupted in praise. The painting evokes not only the miracle itself, but the profound spiritual transformation that followed—a moment when fear gave way to faith and gratitude found expression in song.

Continue reading

Towering forms rise on either side of the composition, creating the impression of immense walls of water suspended in motion. Their sweeping curves frame a luminous central passage that draws the eye upward, suggesting both the path through the sea and the revelation experienced by those who crossed it. The composition possesses a striking sense of verticality, as though heaven and earth briefly converged within a single miraculous moment.

At the base of the painting, a gathering of figures appears beneath the monumental forms above. Their small scale emphasizes the overwhelming magnitude of the event they have witnessed. Rather than focusing on individual identities, Basteker presents a united community bound together by a shared experience of redemption and faith. The figures seem to merge into a collective chorus, recalling the words of Moses and the Israelites as they sang their thanksgiving to God.

Working in his distinctive abstract expressionist style, Basteker transforms biblical narrative into emotional and spiritual experience. Energetic gestures, flowing lines, and richly layered textures create a visual rhythm that mirrors the cadence of song itself. The painting feels alive with movement, suggesting both the surging power of the sea and the rising voices of a people celebrating their newfound freedom.

Rich in symbolism and spiritual resonance, Shirat HaYam reflects one of the central themes of Jewish history: the journey from bondage to redemption. Through expressive form, luminous space, and dramatic movement, Basteker invites viewers to experience the wonder of the biblical miracle and the enduring power of gratitude, faith, and collective memory.

 22,750

In stock

Email