Sali Ariel: Painter of Tel Aviv and the White City

International Exhibitions and Recognition

Sali Ariel has exhibited her artwork globally. While she often paints scenes of Tel Aviv, she also creates pieces on themes of women’s empowerment, as well as subjects like horses, dogs, and joyful flowers, sometimes blending these elements within the same work.

Collections Around the World

Her oil paintings are in numerous private collections worldwide, with ambassadors and diplomats among her collectors. Her work resides in collections in the USA, Canada, Japan, England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Singapore, India, South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria, and even Saudi Arabia.

Artistic Training and Education

Sali studied Fine Arts and Painting at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and continued her studies at Cooper Union and The Art Students League in New York City. Later, she studied under Raffi Lavi at Bet Berle Arts College in Israel.

Life in Israel

Now residing in Herzliya, Israel, Sali lives with her husband, Yaakov Kirschen, the creator of the “Dry Bones” political cartoon. She first visited Israel in August 1967, shortly after the Six-Day War, and officially made Aliyah (immigration to Israel) in 1971.

A Life of Remarkable Encounters

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Sali lived in Manhattan with her first husband and socialized with influential figures. Bob Dylan frequently visited, playing Shesh Besh (a Middle Eastern form of backgammon) and her old high school guitar. Through him, she met John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Peter, Paul, and Mary, as well as Andy Warhol, Abbie Hoffman, and Jerry Rubin. Sali also directed and filmed short, reality-style videos with Dylan, using one of the first portable video cameras in New York.

Diverse Talents and Passions

In addition to her artistic work, Sali has been a horse trainer, dog trainer, riding instructor, art teacher, public speaker, and general manager of an AI-based computer games company. Her experiences on a cattle farm in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and her time living at Shaar Haggai Dog Kennel (without electricity) have greatly influenced her art.

Community Involvement and Leadership

Sali is a past president of the International Women’s Club of Israel (IWC) and the Diplomatic Spouses and Partners Club of Israel (DSPI). She teaches art and painting in these groups and is also a member of the Israel Artists Association and a Friend of the Tel Aviv Museum.