Artist statement
“We see what we know until we know who we are, then we see what we feel.”
— Ernst Haas
The idea of visualizing the invisible is something I’ve been continuously exploring in my practice as an artist. I am drawn to what lies beyond the physical appearance of things, trying to capture "what else is there" as Minor White so beautifully put it.
I find the natural world endlessly inspiring and a rich source of metaphors as well as materials through which I can tell my story. Making the unseen seen has prompted experimentation with multiple photographic techniques: analog, digital, camera-less and combinations of darkroom and digital techniques. Always looking for new ways to visually express ideas, enjoying the creative process at least as much as its result.
BIO
Amy Kanka Valadarsky was born in 1964 in Romania where she spent her first eight years before her family moved to Israel, the place she calls home. After graduating as a software engineer, she started what was to become a 25 years long career in the telecommunication industry, traveling around the globe designing and implementing software solutions. In 2014, after leaving the hi-tech world, Amy returned to her creative roots and opened a new chapter of her life as a fine art photographer.
Amy’s work was selected as a Critical Mass 2017 Top 50, as well as featured in SHOTS, Rfotofolio, The Hand, Black&White Magazine, Lenscratch and exhibited in a variety of galleries and photo festivals such as PhotoLa 2016, Carmel Center for photographic Art, and the Griffin Museum at Lafayette City Center (Boston).
She lives with her husband, the dog and two cats in Even Yehuda, Israel.
Curriculum Vitae
Recognition and awards
Critical Mass 2017 - Top 50
Critical Mass 2016 - Finalist
LA Photo Curator, 1st place for "I wish I knew her then". Juror Susan Spiritus.
A Smith Gallery, Juror award for "All that remains". Juror Paula Tognarelli.
Black & White 2017 portfolio contest - Spotlight award for "Between Here and Then"
Black & White 2016 portfolio contest - Excellence award for "Misthaven".
New York Center for photographic arts, 2nd place for "Misthaven #1"
New York Center for photographic arts, honorable mention for "Memories (Real and Constructed)"
1650 Gallery, Los Angeles, best in show award for "Three swimmers"
Shanti Arts, Winter 2019 “Phenomenal Women” best in show award for ‘Meeting Frida”
See "Publication" page for a complete list of books/magazines/blogs where work was published . Exhibitions listed below.
Exhibitions
2022
Gallery on the Cliff, Netanya, Israel. Fiber art group exhibition “ריקמה גדולה”, featuring “Secular prayer rug”. Curator Adi Yakutieli
2020
SE Center of Photography, Greenville, S. Carolina. Group exhibit “Alternative Processes” featuring “Untitled #1” from Meeting Frida. Juror Jill Enfield. Edge of Humanity Magazine, featuring Heartbeat of the Night https://edgeofhumanity.com/2020/02/01/nocturnal-tales/ Municipal Galleries, Netanya, Israel. “All about white” members group exhibit featuring "To grandma, with love” (installation, hand-spun yarn, encaustic, photography) LoosenArt, Rome, Italy. Group exhibit "Isolation" featuring "Home distillery"
2019
Shanti Arts, Winter 2019 “Phenomenal Women” best in show award for ‘Meeting Frida” Municipal Galleries, Netanya, Israel. Members group exhibit featuring "Forgotten” (collage) Gallery on the Cliff, Netanya, Israel. Netanya artists association annual show "Textures" featuring "A whole new world” (tapestry) Griffin Museum of Photography, Lafayette City Center Passageway, Boston. Group exhibit "Primary source" juried exhibition featuring "When flower meets sun". Juror Paula Tognarelli Netanya Municipal Auditorium, Netanya, Israel. Holocaust theme group exhibition featuring “Bedtime story” (Weaving, yarn and paper). A Smith Gallery, Johnson City, TX. Group exhibition “Unconstrained” featuring ‘Untitled #1” from Meeting Frida. Juror Catherine Couturier. Netanya Municipal Galleries, Netanya, Israel. Members group exhibit featuring "Embryo” (chemigram) Art Intersection, Gilbert, Arizona. “Light sensitive 2019” group exhibition featuring “Untitled #1” from “Meeting Frida”. Juror Christopher James
2018
Light Leaked magazine, ‘Flawed beings’ juried exhibition featuring “Hope” and “Burning Matters”. Juror Michael Kirchoff Griffin Museum of Photography, Lafayette City Center Passageway, Boston. Group exhibit "Abstractions" juried exhibition featuring "Wandering, not lost". Juror Paula Tognarelli Gallery on the Cliff, Netanya, Israel. Netanya artists association annual show "As you like it" featuring "HaTikva" LoosenArt, Rome, Italy. Group exhibit "Alterations" featuring "Nothing is lost, nothing is created" Griffin Museum of Photography, Lafayette City Center Passageway, Boston. Group exhibit "Tree Talk" juried exhibition featuring "End of November". Juror Paula Tognarelli Netanya Municipal Galleries, Netanya, Israel. Members group exhibit featuring "Misthaven" and "Between here and then" Gallery on the Cliff, Netanya. Group exhibit featuring "Of Earth and Sun". Juror Amir Shefet. New York Center for photographic arts, group exhibit 'Portals 2018", honorable mention for "Memories (Real and Constructed). Juror Darren Ching. Tokyo International Foto Award (TIFA) 2017, Honorable mention for "Spirit and Dust". Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, California. Group exhibit "Depth of Field" juried exhibit featuring "Body and Soul". Juror Rfotofolio. Cortona on the move, Cortona, Italy. Screening of Critical Mass 2017 Top 50 featuring “A young woman” from A portrait of shadows and light
Edition One Gallery, Santa Fe, US. Group exhibition “Critical Mass 2017 top 50: A contemporary reference of the human condition”. Curator Alexa Becker
Univeral Art Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel. Group exhibition “70 years” featuring three pieces from “Adama”
Universal Art Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel. Group exhibition “Song on a wall” art inspired by Noam Horev songs. Featuring “Dancing by myself”
Office Gallery, Tel Aviv, Israel. Group exhibition “Exposed feelings” featuring pieces from Misthaven and Between Here and Then. Curator Rachel Suckman
2017
Netanya Municipal Galleries, Netanya, Israel. “Alone” group exhibit featuring a collaborative work with Shari Yantra Marcacci . DNJ Gallery, Santa Monica, CA. 4nd annual exhibition of Los Angeles Center of Photography juried exhibition featuring “Body and Soul”. Juror Paula Tognarelli.
Los Angeles Art Association, 825 Gallery, Los Angeles. Juried exhibition “VS” featuring collage piece in cooperation with Betzi Stein.
Los Angeles Art Association, 825 Gallery, Los Angeles. Juried exhibition “2017 LAAA Benefit Auction” featuring “Through your eyes”.
38th Annual SMC Photography Exhibit, Santa Monica. Group exhibit featuring “The ticking of the clock”.
bG Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica. Juror: Om Bleicher. Group exhibit “Day Dreamers, modern and contemporary surrealism” featuring “Through your eyes”.
SE Center of Photography, Greenville, S. Carolina. Group exhibit “Beyond the Selfie” featuring “Pieces of me” and “Hidden gardens, secret dreams”. Juror Miss Aniela. http://www.sec4p.com/selfie-ss/
LA Photo curator, 1st prize for “I wish I knew her then”. Juror Susan Spiritus.
PhotoLA 2016, Los Angeles. “Misthaven #4” part of LACP booth, “All that remains” part of Open Show LA booth exhibit.
ASmith Gallery, Johnson City, TX. Juror award for “All that remains” in group exhibit “Earth”. Juror Paula Tognarelli
SE Center of Photography, Greenville, S. Carolina. Group exhibit “Monochrome” featuring “All that remains”. Juror Dell Zogg http://www.sec4p.com/monochrome
2016
Black Box Gallery, Portland, Oregon. Group exhibit “Shadows and light” featuring “Misthaven #1” and “Misthaven #9”. Juror Todd Tubutis http://blackboxgallery.com/Framed-Shadow%20and%20Light%20Gallery%20Web/index.html
Jadite Gallery, NY, NY. Group exhibit “Trees and Geometry” featuring “Misthaven #1”
Photo Place Gallery, Middlebury, VT. Group exhibit “Personal Narrative" featuring “Hidden gardens secret dreams”. Juror Susan Burnstine.
Darkroom Gallery, Essex Jct., VT, “Haunted” group exhibit featuring two images from “Misthaven”. Juror Russell Joslin. http://www.darkroomgallery.com/ex87
Los Angeles Center of Photography, Los Angeles, “Xposed” group exhibit featuring three images from “Between here and then”
Los Angeles Center of Photography, Los Angeles. Member of the month online exhibit, featuring “Between here and then”. Jurors: Julia Dean, Thomas Michael Alleman and Ken Merfeld
https://lacphoto.org/amy-kanka-valadarsky-featured-lacp-member-september-2016/
Art Share LA, Los Angeles. “Spectra” exhibit featuring four images from “Left behind” portfolio.
IPA awards, “Family of man”. Honorable mention http://www.photoawards.com/winner/hmention.php?compName=Family%20of%20Man&level=pro
New York Center for Photographic Arts, New York. Juried exhibition “Trees”, 2nd prize winner. Juror Traer Scott. http://www.nyc4pa.com/#!trees-2016-1/c24b7
DNJ Gallery, Santa Monica, CA. 3nd annual exhibition of Los Angeles Center of Photography juried exhibition. Juror January Parkos Arnall.
Los Angeles Center for Photography, Los Angeles. Annual Fine Art Photography Exhibition. Juror: Hamidah Glasgow.
Los Angeles Art Association, 825 Gallery, Los Angeles. Juried exhibition “2016 LAAA Benefit Auction”
Los Angeles Art Association, 825 Gallery, Los Angeles. Juried exhibition “VS. a collaborative art exhibition”
MOPLA 2016, bG Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica. “MONSTER Photo Gestalt”. Juror: Om Bleicher.
MOPLA 2016, Aesthesia studios, American Society of Media Photographers booth. Juried exhibition “Awakenings”
Art Forward Contest. “Dialogues with myself” – Bronze medalist. Jurors Stuart Ochiltree and Henry Rasmussen. http://www.artforwardcontests.com/c4-bronze-award-winners-photography/
Los Angeles Center for Photography, “mIXed – Nine photographic visions”
PhotoLA 2016, Los Angeles. American Society of Media Photographers booth. Juried exhibition “Awakenings”
SE Center of Photography, Greenville, S. Carolina. “Dreams and more”. Juror Ann George http://www.sec4p.com/dreams-and-more-ss
Duncan Miller Gallery, YourDailyPhotograph, Santa Monica, California. Juried exhibition “Dance”
2015
Darkroom Gallery, Essex Jct., VT, “Haunted” group exhibit featuring two images from “Misthaven”. Juror Russell Joslin. http://www.darkroomgallery.com/ex87
Los Angeles Center of Photography, Los Angeles, “Xposed” group exhibit featuring three images from “Between here and then”
Los Angeles Center of Photography, Los Angeles. Member of the month, September 2016 featuring “Between here and then”. Jurors: Julia Dean, Thomas Michael Alleman and Ken Merfeld
https://lacphoto.org/amy-kanka-valadarsky-featured-lacp-member-september-2016/
Art Share LA, Los Angeles. "Spectra" exhibit featuring four images from “Left behind” portfolio.
IPA awards, “Family of man”. Honorable mention http://www.photoawards.com/winner/hmention.php?compName=Family%20of%20Man&level=pro
New York Center for Photographic Arts, New York. Juried exhibition “Trees”, 2nd prize winner. Juror Traer Scott. http://www.nyc4pa.com/#!trees-2016-1/c24b7
DNJ Gallery, Santa Monica, CA. 3nd annual exhibition of Los Angeles Center of Photography juried exhibition. Juror January Parkos Arnall.
Los Angeles Center for Photography, Los Angeles. Annual Fine Art Photography Exhibition. Juror: Hamidah Glasgow.
Los Angeles Art Association, 825 Gallery, Los Angeles. Juried exhibition “2016 LAAA Benefit Auction”
Los Angeles Art Association, 825 Gallery, Los Angeles. Juried exhibition “VS. a collaborative art exhibition”
MOPLA 2016, bG Gallery, Bergamot Station, Santa Monica. “MONSTER Photo Gestalt”. Juror: Om Bleicher.
MOPLA 2016, Aesthesia studios, American Society of Media Photographers booth. Juried exhibition “Awakenings”
Art Forward Contest. “Dialogues with myself” – Bronze medalist. Jurors Stuart Ochiltree and Henry Rasmussen. http://www.artforwardcontests.com/c4-bronze-award-winners-photography/
Los Angeles Center for Photography, Los Angeles. “mIXed – Nine photographic visions”
PhotoLA 2016, Los Angeles. American Society of Media Photographers booth. Juried exhibition “Awakenings”
SE Center of Photography, Greenville, S. Carolina. “Dreams and more”. Juror Ann George http://www.sec4p.com/dreams-and-more-ss
Duncan Miller Gallery, YourDailyPhotograph, Santa Monica, California. Juried exhibition “Dance” The perfect exposure Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Juried exhibition “Aesthetics 2015”
1650 Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Juried exhibition “The Dark Side” http://1650gallery.com/darkside2015_exhibition.php
Linus Gallery, Pasadena, CA. Juried exhibition “Abstracts 2015” https://youtu.be/bOrOqEV_99Y
ASmith Gallery, Johnson City, TX. Juried exhibition “Abstractions” http://asmithgallery.com/exhibitions/abstractions/
1650 Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Juried exhibition ”Splash” – “Best in show” http://1650gallery.com/splash2015_exhibition.php
ASmith Gallery, Johnson City, TX. Juried exhibition “Still” http://asmithgallery.com/exhibitions/still/
DNJ Gallery, Santa Monica, CA. 2nd annual exhibition of Los Angeles Center of Photography juried exhibition.
2014
Darkroom Gallery, Essex Junction, VT. Juried exhibition “Con-text” http://www.darkroomgallery.com/ex64
PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, VT. Juried exhibition “The golden hours” http://photoplacegallery.com/the-golden-hours-at-dawn-and-dusk/
Gallery on the Lake, Raanana, Israel – group exhibition “Color in art”
Ilanot Forest Center, Israel – juried exhibition “Photographing trees”
Member of
LAAA – Los Angeles Art Association
LACP – Los Angeles Center for photography
Netanya artist association (Israel)
EDUCATION
1982 - 1986 B.SC in Computer Science, Technion, Israel
2011 - 2013 Goldsmith diploma studies at Yael Shkedi private studio, Kfar Saba, Israel