Born in Israel, Yosi Messiah is a successful, multi-award-winning figurative abstract artist based in Sydney.
His work is characterised by a love of mark-making, a bold and exuberant colour palette, a vibrant collection of characters and a maelstrom of emotions. Fast and free, his bold colour combinations are an exciting visual experience. His technique of laying down colour and intricate brush strokes in sections, gives a unique sense of depth and movement to his work, bringing the paintings to life.
His still life, portraits and seductive figures form a cohesive body of work. His technique is spontaneous and physical with his use of layers and colours to create the loose lines in his figures. The women and Geishas are imaginary, soft and elegant with exaggerated eyes, expressing their strength, and inviting the viewer to bring their own interpretation to his works.
Yosi’s latest vivacious Sydney harbour-landscape paintings, are a result of careful observation of the harbour’s enchanting beauty, reflecting its vibrancy with its ever-changing colours and shapes.
CV
1964: Born Israel 1964 – lives and works in Sydney, Australia
1996: Studied oil painting with renowned painter Charlie Shead
1997: Studied life drawing at the Julian Ashton Art School, Sydney
1996-2013: Working artist
Solo Exhibitions
2012 “Colour Spill”, Richard Martin Art, Sydney
2012 “New work”, Gallery One, Gold Coast, Qld
2011 “Evok”, Richard Martin Art, Sydney
2007 “Harmony of Cultures”, Thierry B Gallery, Melbourne
2006 “Natural Flow”, Us2 Gallery, Bondi
2004 “Crossing with Landscape”, Graphis Gallery, Sydney
Collective Exhibitions
2012 Richard Martin Art – Summertide Group Show
2012 Semi Finalist Doug Moran Portrait Art Prize
2012 Finalist Mosman Art Prize
2012 Richard Martin Art – Summer, Sydney
2011 Richard Martin Art – Winter, Sydney
2011 Swift mansion, Sydney
2010 Gallery One, Gold Coast, Qld
2009 Art Sydney
2008 Brisbane Art Fair
2008 Art Singapore
2008 Galleries Direct, Sydney
2007 Reuters Charity Auction
2007 T hierry B Gallery
2007 Art Sydney
2007 Richard Martin Art, Sydney
2007 Art Melbourne
2006 Bricklane Gallery, Bondi
2006 Art Sydney
2006 Global Gallery
2005 Art Sydney
2005 Global Gallery
Awards
2012 Mosman Art Prize (Finalist)
2012 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (Semi-Finalist)
2010 Director’s Cut Blake Art Prize (Finalist)
2010 Mosman Art Prize (Finalist)
2009 Director’s Cut Blake Art Prize (Finalist)
2009 Waverley Art Prize (Finalist)
2008 Paddington Art Prize (Finalist)
2006 Signature of Sydney (Semi-Finalist)
Collections:
Intercontinental Hotels; Hilton Hotels; Marriott Hotels (North Ryde); Raptis Group RLD (redesign – client placements); St Vincent Hospital Darlinghurst and numerous international clients.