Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilana Lilienthal.
Hi Ilana, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Born in Tel Aviv, I had a rather diverse upbringing with a mix of Middle Eastern and European cultures. It allowed me to gain fluency in three languages (German, Hebrew, and English) while exposing me to various aesthetic styles and different cultural impressions of art, music, dance, you name it. It influenced me so much that I studied Art History before moving to New York City in the late 80s. The graffiti art and spiritual confluence there greatly impacted my personal art practice before I moved to Florida. In Florida, I played an integral role in developing Wynwood Walls, which some people now consider the locus point for Art Basel, so we are pretty happy with the project’s impact on the area. After moving here post-COVID, I hope to bring that same development to Knoxville, specifically Emory Place, which I bought in 2021. This entire business line is now within the creative industry, women-owned and operated. It is a hub for art and culture, and my vision is to expand and flourish even more. Part of that, perhaps the most integral aspect, rests in my art space, Lilienthal Gallery. We showcase contemporary international, national, and select local artists from diverse mediums. Think large-scale sculptural installations, abstract paintings, photorealistic works, etc. With artists from China, Germany, Israel, Brazil, Azerbaijan, and beyond, we evoke a spirit of rich cultural exchange.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We are so fortunate the gallery is only growing further! Our current exhibition features Yigal Ozeri, whose photorealist oil paintings were recently acquired by the Smithsonian. We proudly announce that we are donating one of Ozeri’s paintings to the Knoxville Museum of Art. His painted portrait of James Baldwin (photographed initially by Richard Avedon) is a gorgeous complement to their collection. Other projects are underway, such as a Mural series with Dogwood Arts. Perhaps that was our most significant challenge in selecting muralists from such a fantastic pool of national applicants. It is a fascinating time for us.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an artist, I’m known for my eclectic mix of painting, sculpture, and installation materials. My work speaks to the future while drawing from aesthetic concerns of previous movements, such as German Expressionism and seventeenth-century cosmic imagery. Creating large-scale installations, spreading elements and energy into space, is like taking a deep breath and feeling my lungs. The harmony and dialogue between the image, the site, and the people around it create a strong experience of size and colors dancing together. I bring this vision and integrity into my gallery space, uniting artworks created by visionaries in a space that honors their spiritual and conceptual vitality. Knoxville is a city deserving of beautiful spaces filled with poignant and sublime art.
What were you like growing up?
I spent most of my childhood traveling through Europe, soaking in the cultural chiasma offered through art, music, and dance. I was curious, extroverted, constantly talking and moving and asking questions. Which, of course, led to my interest in Art History. I especially loved the Christian iconography of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Contact Info:
- Website: lilienthalgallery.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/lilienthalgallery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilienthalArtGallery/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lilienthal-gallery1
