Just like his soulful art, Yossi Shua is a man of many hues and facets: A lifelong resident of mountainous Jerusalem, who navigates the blue seas as a certified skipper; A loving family man and hearty people person, who trains for the grueling Ironman Triathlon; A hard worker and down-to-earth breadwinner, who is also a daring and prolific artist. And all spheres of his life and his being serve as inspiration for the art he reinvents with every ravishing creation.
Born in Jerusalem in 1966, Yossi was raised in the spirit of Religious Zionism, which he still follows today. As a child he was drawn to art and beautiful things, showing a knack for painting from the age of eight. And yet, when the time came to choose a profession, his practical side prevailed: he obtained a degree in business administration, and was employed in the business sector for 15 years. It was one of his favorite customers, renowned Judaica artist Shuki Freiman, who ultimately made the offer that Yossi couldn’t refuse: selling and eventually contributing to the design of Freiman’s works – in high demand especially in the Jewish American marketplace.
And then came the pandemic… and Yossi finally made the leap he had always dreamed of: Brimming over with inspiration and novel ideas amassed over decades, he became an independent sculptor, casting his own multicolored visions in bronze, aluminum and even titanium, to create a completely new language of art.
Artistic concept
Yossi Shua creates art that makes us smile. Moreover, his rich and colorful handcrafted sculptures become part of our daily lives – since they are all designed as useful items, with a functional purpose, not merely artwork to be admired on its pedestal.
In each piece Yossi creates a flowing, everchanging world, a harmonious 3D montage that unravels a new symphony of color from every angle – offering the viewer an eternally refreshing sense of discovery. With works that make our souls dance and delight our eyes with their fresh originality, he reinvents the quintessence of both Judaica and the art of sculpture and speaks a new artistic language that is visibly ahead of its time.