Larger-than-life bronze sculpture addressing a globally topical issue, that of education: 'Gathering Knowledge'.
A PILLAR OF BOOKS
According to the artist, each additional book read accumulates knowledge into a pillar that motivates one to seek ever new information. The sculpture symbolises the quest for knowledge and the curiosity that drives it. The books represent humanity's accumulated wisdom. In keeping with this idea, the artist here depicts a human figure sitting on a tower of stacked books, with another large open book in her raised hands, held up to the sky.
The sculpture also reflects the artist's personal experience of learning and exploring different cultures and disciplines.
QUOTE by the artist accompanying the artwork 'Gathering knowledge':
'Literature encourages wisdom and improvement of universal conditions.
Reading book after book accumulates a pile of knowledge and motivates the constant search for even more information.
CASTING
The sculpture was designed in 2001 and cast in 2005.
Signed and numbered: A.P. 1/4 '05
The marking "A.P. 1/4" on a bronze sculpture stands for 'Artist's Proof 1/4', indicating a special edition that precedes the general production of a limited edition. These proofs are kept or sold directly by the artist and are often more desirable because of their exclusivity and the artist's direct involvement. The number "1/4" indicates that this is the first copy in a series of four artist's proofs. Such proofs are not only a sign of authenticity, but also increase the collector's value of the artwork.
EXPERT REPORT
The artwork has an expert report dated 31 July 2005. It was examined and reported by Frederic Got, Galerie Castiglione, Paris.
PROVENANCE
Private Collection Belgium
TOLLA INBAR (Germany, 1958)
Tolla Inbar was born in Israel in 1958 and has lived in Germany since 1985.
She is known for her expressive bronze figures that explore themes of human relationships, emotions and spirituality.
EDUCATION
After attending school in Stuttgart, where she focused on ceramics and sculpture, she emigrated to Israel. While passionately pursuing her art interests and participating in both group and solo exhibitions throughout Israel and Europe, Tolla earned a B.A. in psychology and sociology from Tel Aviv University.
Her academic pursuits had a profound influence on her creative expression. She later returned to Tel Aviv University to study modern art and learn the traditions of her predecessors.Inspiration. Her works are often inspired by her own life experiences, such as her childhood on a kibbutz, where she learned to appreciate nature and community, her travels around the world, where she met different cultures and religions, and her personal challenges, such as coming to terms with the loss of her father and brother.
OWN STYLE
Throughout her career, Tolla's works have evolved from realistic and figurative to more expressive and semi-abstract forms. Using the ancient method of bronze casting, Tolla's work embodies universal questions about the reasons for living and the complexity of the universe.