GYO

Guy Seban, 34 years old, hails from Kedar, a settlement in the Judean Desert. Growing up amidst the vast expanses and serene silence of the desert, Guy was imbued with a deep sense of community, art, and love. His grandmother, Simone, a painter herself, taught him and his sister to draw anatomy using pencil and charcoal, immersing them in the world of art from a young age.

Formal education never quite captured Guy’s interest, and he found himself constantly retreating into the realm of art. It was at Rene Cassin High School in Jerusalem that he found a platform for his artistic expression. For Guy, art became both a refuge and a home. After a year of wandering and working in Canada, he served in the Paratroopers Brigade, an experience that left him with deep emotional scars.

During his military service, Guy discovered the world of photography, which paved the way for his engagement with street art and documentation. The desert, with its tranquility and expansiveness, has always been a fundamental part of his artistic identity. After his discharge, Guy embarked on a long journey in search of inspiration and experiences in India and South America, where he focused on photography and handcraft.

Upon returning to Israel, he delved into the world of carpentry and set design, later moving on to welding and metal sculpture, connecting deeply with textures, shapes, and different materials. In Tel Aviv, Guy immersed himself in numerous projects, designing and building bars, restaurants, sets, and sculptures, expressing himself through abstract art influenced by Japanese animation and diverse music genres.

Guy feels a profound connection to Japanese art and to grunge, psychedelic rock, and drum and bass music, which seamlessly blend into his creations. This connection is not only visual but also spiritual, as art and music merge into a singular, cohesive artistic action.

Martial arts, which Guy has practiced for most of his life, have given him a sense of control and an understanding of the body that greatly contribute to the attentiveness and observation he brings to his work. They serve as a bridge between the physical and mental realms, allowing him to express his inner and personal battles through his art.

Working with metals, especially iron and rust, evokes strong emotions in Guy. He feels a deep urge to unleash something from within, and this work has opened a door to a new world, sharpening the vibe he aims to convey in his art. He describes this as a natural process, an instinctive blossoming that grants him a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him.

A significant turning point in Guy’s artistic journey came when he acquired a roll of canvas and a set of acrylic paints, starting to paint in a way he had never tried before. This process was so liberating and natural for him that he couldn’t stop. Each painting led to the next, with each one offering a new way to express himself.

Guy’s paintings are filled with characters, bold colors, and often a touch of darkness. However, instead of evoking feelings of depression or despair, they invite the viewer to delve deeper into the complexities of the human soul. By illuminating light from the darkness, Guy Saban manages to extract beauty from chaos and pain, giving expression to hope and renewal. Each creation is a personal identity card, a record of a moment in his life, a mental experience, or an internal struggle. Acrylic paints, iron, and charcoal become his partners in this dialogue with the world.

Guy is an artist who turns his personal story, experiences, pains, and triumphs into art that speaks to the heart of the viewer. From the deserts of Judea, through battlefields, to his artistic studio in Tel Aviv, each project and creation are pieces of the multifaceted puzzle that is his life.