Chani Cohen Zada

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Chani Cohen ZadaSparks

Chani Cohen Zada, Sparks

oil on wood
80 × 60 cm
31 × 24 in

About the Artwork

Sparks captures a solitary figure bending over a small flame that pierces the surrounding darkness. The source of the light is modest, yet it becomes the heart of the composition, illuminating both the hands of the figure and the space immediately around them. Through this dramatic interplay of darkness and light, Chani Cohen Zada reflects upon the quiet power of even the smallest spark to dispel darkness and awaken hope.

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The title immediately invites more than a literal reading. A spark is both physical and symbolic. It is fragile, easily overlooked, yet capable of kindling a far greater flame. Jewish thought frequently speaks of the Divine spark present within every individual—a hidden source of spiritual vitality waiting to be revealed and nurtured.

Cohen Zada deliberately conceals much of the figure within shadow, directing the viewer's attention toward the light itself rather than the identity of the individual. The face remains hidden, allowing the scene to become universal. Anyone may stand in this place, seeking light amid uncertainty.

The surrounding darkness is not portrayed as threatening but as the natural setting in which light reveals its greatest strength. The small flame does not eliminate the darkness entirely; instead, it creates a circle of warmth and visibility. In doing so, the painting reminds us that transformation often begins with a single act, a single insight, or a single moment of faith.

As throughout Cohen Zada's work, the composition is built upon careful observation rather than theatrical effect. The glow upon the hands, the subtle reflections upon the ground, and the restrained palette allow the light itself to become the primary subject. The painting demonstrates the artist's remarkable ability to communicate profound ideas through the quiet study of ordinary visual experience.

Sparks ultimately celebrates the power of small beginnings. Whether understood as the first spark of inspiration, the awakening of faith, or the quiet flame of hope, the painting reminds us that even the smallest light possesses the power to transform the darkness that surrounds it.

About the Artist — Chani Cohen Zada

One of the main obstacles that a novice painter encounters when he comes to paint from observation is a conceptual conflict. This is because everything is actually made up of two things: meaning, and substance. The mind, refers to the word through its meaning for us, and not through its materiality. And therefore the painter gives an iconic interpretation of what he sees, which is not compatible with reality. It takes a lot of hours of training to teach the brain to separate these two things and pass on to the painter the relevant information for the painting, which is the material interpretation only

₪ 26,250

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