Nelly Agassi

Born in: 1973
From: Tel Aviv, Israel
Lives and works: Chicago, United States of America
Represented by: Dvir Gallery

UN goals

Biography

Using a variety of mediums like textile, video, drawing, sculpture and her body, artist Nelly Agassi explores femininity and what it is considered to be a woman in our capitalist culture. Her work Untitled (No stepping outside the lines and no touching the floor) shows the artist while applying lipstick. These cosmetics having been considered a symbol of womanhood in the 1930’s, Agassi questions social constructs of gender by simply taking her lipstick off.

Agassi’s theatrical approach bears mind to Marina Abramovic’s early performances where she expanded on femininity –women’s bodies and social constructs around the former– and heritage. Albeit differences in intent and formally, both artists explore collectivity as their work depends on the relation they establish with viewers.

Her taste for textile is also linked to her feminist views as she wishes to elevate this overlooked art and position it on a par with other mediums like drawing or sculpture. This in turn calls to mind female artists from the Bauhaus like Anni Albers who worked extensively with textile, making ever-complex weavings.

Career highlights

Solo shows

2021, Nahum Gutman Museum, Tel Aviv, Israel: Horrotopia
2019, Graham Foundation, Chicago, IL, US: Spirit of the Waves
2018, The Artist House, Jerusalem, Israel: HOMESEEK
2015, Mana Contemporary, Jersey City, USA: Ofri Cnaani and Nelly Agassi: Crippled Symmetry
2004, Nathan Gottesdiener Foundation, The Israeli Prize 2003, Tell Aviv Museum of Art, Tel Aviv, Israel: Borrowed Scenery

Group shows

2020, Jewish Museum & Tolerance Center, Moscow, Russia: (Not) a Good Time for Love
2018, Hyde Park Art Centre, Chicago, USA: Wall to Wall
2017, Terrain Biennial 2017, Chicago, USA: Autumn eats its leaf out of my hand
2016, Archives Nationales, Salon d’Art Contemporain, Hors-les-Murs, YIA Art Fair #7, Paris, France: Pavillon de l’exil
2010, Tate Modern, London, UK: No Soul for Sale - A Festival for Independents