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Serena Janet Israel (*05.07.1971 in West-Berlin, Germany) is a German restorer and artist living on the Caribbean Island of Curacao. She is known on the island and in the Netherlands for her 'Chichi' sculptures, which became a popular landmark of Curacao.
Early Life and Education
editSerena Israel was born in the city of former West-Berlin as the eldest of three daughters. She grew up in a middle-class family. Israel's mother was a dressmaker, her father worked his way up from a construction worker to a scaffolder with his own company. Israel's interest in different forms of art became evident at a young age and was encouraged early on by her parents. [1]
Israel studied at the 'Gipsformerei der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin[2]' to become a plaster art molder. At the end, Israel decided to set aside further studies and embarked on a world sailing expedition.[1]
World circumnavigation and emigration
editIn 1995 Israel undertook a 6-year journey around the world with her partner at the time aboard a self-built sailing boat. The couple build the boat at the 'Bootswerft Neuhaus' following the original museum plans of Colin Archer. Israel stated in an interview with ArchitectenPunt that her travel deeply changed her. They followed the trade winds route starting in the Netherlands. After calling ports Spain, the Canary Island, Africa, Cape Verde and different Caribbean islands she arrived on Curacao in 2001 and decided to stay alone on the island.[1]
The same year, as she arrived on Curacao, she met the father of her only daughter Chayen Clèment, who was born two years later. Benoit Clèment (*31.12.1963 – 23.07.2011) was a Canadian Olympic swimmer who later died of cancer in 2011. He only experienced the beginning of the Art Factory Israel founded three years earlier.
In 2014 Israel married the famous saxophonist and singer Michael Anthony (*31.12.1963 – 23.07.2011). Anthony, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, became a second father to her daughter Chayen and had a great influence in their personal life and company.[3] Israel described him as her "soulmate, spiritual leader and counsellor."[4] In 2021 he died at the age of 75 due to leukemia.[5]
Serena's Art Factory
editTo support her family, Israel had several jobs. She worked as a waiter, sales woman of handmade jewellery and furniture, entertainer at children`s parties, and cleaned boats. She created her own jewellery shop and gave workshops for adults and children.[1]
Serena started her own business as a one-person company, with the trademarking of her signature woman sculpture the so called 'Chichi' in 2008. With the growing demand for Chichi, Serena began assembling a team for production in the Factory in 2009. Serena's Art Factory officially opened its doors in 2012 to locals and tourists.[6]
She also recruited local artists to handle the painting. This final step of production is done at the artists' homes. This arrangement allows local women, who still primarily take care of childcare on Curaçao, to earn money independently and become more self-reliant, while still being able to take care of their children and not have to rely on the undependable public transport system on a daily basis. [7][8]
Chichi
editThe Chichi trademark was registered in 2008. Chichi became the typical and traditional Caribbean souvenir for tourists visiting the island. The sculpture resembles a volumonious woman[9] sitting down with her arms open. She is wearing colorful clothes painted on her while the faceless head as well as arms and legs are painted in black.
"Chichis are so much more than just a big sister; they capture the embraces, the pride, and the heritage of many Curaçaoan women, [...]. [...]. They had to take control of the family, which often meant they had no time for a school education. So Chichis became pillars of the Curaçaoan families – they held them together."[10] - Serena Israel in a BBC Interview
In addition to Saint Phalle's stylized female 'Nana' figures, prehistoric female and goddess figures such as the Venus of Willendorf also influenced Israel's interpretation of Chichi. The characteristic simplicity, achieved through the reduction to the most basic body forms, is a common feature shared by these figures. The curvy figurine became a symbol for body positivity on the island.[8]
Israel's extensive world travels, her own artistic background, and her training in restoration came together in this figure. Although the first Chichi was made of papier-mâché and chicken wire, Serena quickly drew on her training from Germany, which was focused on working with plaster. To this day, the majority of Chichi figures are still made from plaster, although more durable and weather-resistant versions made from epoxy or concrete are also available. There is also a luxury line made of bronze, produced by the traditional Berlin company 'Seiler's Bildgiesserei.[11]
The colorful and joyful sculptures can be found everywhere on the island and became a collection piece and favorite among the tourist attractions and souvenirs.[12][8]
„Ik ben dankbaar dat mijn sculptuur iets betekent voor Curacao."[13] („I am grateful that my sculpture means something to Curacao.") – Serena Israel in an Interview with ArchitectenPunt Interieur
References
edit- ^ a b c d ArchitectenPunt Interieur Volume 4, Edition 7, p.224. [1]
- ^ "Staatliche Museen zu Berlin: Home".
- ^ Michael Anthony laat een legende achter Dossier Koninkrijksrelaties Website (last accessed 14 October 2024).
- ^ "Interieur 7 | ArchitectenPunt". interieur.architectenpunt.nl. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ Michael Anthony laat een legende achter Dossier Koninkrijksrelaties Website (last accessed 14 October 2024).
- ^ ArchitectenPunt Interieur Volume 4, Edition 7, p.225.
- ^ ArchitectenPunt Interieur Volume 4, Edition 7, p.226-227.
- ^ a b c BBC: A Caribbean take on body positivity Website BBC (last accessed 14 October 2024).
- ^ Curacao National Geographic Website (last accessed 14 October 2024).
- ^ "A Caribbean take on body positivity". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
- ^ http://www.seilers-bildgiesserei.de/
- ^ Curacao – Ein bisschen Europa und ganz viel Karibik Deutsche Welle Website (last accessed 14 October 2010).
- ^ "Interieur 7 | ArchitectenPunt". interieur.architectenpunt.nl. Retrieved 2024-10-14.
Further Sources and Mentions
editAmigoe Curacao: Restauratie Jezusbeeld kerk Groot Kwartier voltooid, p.4 (14.11.2023).
Antilliaans Dagblad: Staten makeneen inhaalslag, p.6 (25.052019).
Coaching': Kunst, creativiteit en ondernemerschap, Volume 16, Edition 2 (2018).
Curacao Island Offical Website in "Art and Culture": https://www.curacao.com/en/activity/serenas-art-factory.
Das Erbe unserer Welt: Audrey Hepburn – Filmstar Stilikone Wohltäterin, p.96 (08.05.2015).
Dolphin FM: 'Zo maak je de bekende Chichi's can Curacao! - Serena's Art Factory, (24.05.2023). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPhXZTl9So0
Insights: Interview Serena Israel, Issue 20, p.10-16 (01.-03.2014).
Länder und Leute: Die Chichi aus Berlin macht das Paradies bunt -Sozialprojekt in der Karibik, Issue 3 p.2 ( 17.01.2015).
Lonley Planet: 7 reasons why Curaçao should be your next Caribbean vacation, (11.08.2021). https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/why-curacao-should-be-next-caribbean-vacation
Ontdek Curacao: Serena Israel: „Chichi is my big sister, my breakthrough...", p.11 (11.09.2014).
Reiseblogger WG: Die Chichi ® Erfinderin im Interview - Serena Janet Israel, (09.09.2020). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HPpILVYvkA
Wilhelmshavener Zeitung: Blickpunkte – Serena und die Chichis, p.33 (30.10.2020).
World Nomads: Respect and renewal: Contemporary Art in Curacao, (19.12.2019). https://www.worldnomads.com/explore/caribbean/contemporary-art-in-curacao