COVER
Functional beauty
Chaya Esther Orts backsplash tiles revitalize the heart of the home
By ARIEL DOMINIQUE HENDELMAN
T
ile art has a long and beloved his-
tory in Israel. Discoveries of an-
cient tiles and mosaics through-
out the land tell vivid stories of Israels
past; sometimes surprising, but always
awe-inspiring.
Artist and Nahlaot resident Chaya Es-
ther Ort is taking this ancient art form
to a new level with her backsplash tile
murals. The backsplash is meant to
adorn the kitchen walls, usually above
10 IN JERUSALEM | MARCH 31, 2017
the stove, and stretching out as far as
is desired. She discovered this new art
form organically, as a byproduct more
than an intention.
How I got into the backsplashes was
that first I started doing individual tiles
and I would do them in themes: tea-
cups, the Seven Species, doorways of
Jerusalem, Ort recalls. Then one day I
got the idea that I could use the tiles as a
group like a single canvas and do some-
thing that was less typical for tiles. Usu-
ally the way tiles are used is that each
one is a scene in and of itself; they dont
collectively make up a whole.
Being innovative is paramount to Ort
as an artist. When she was growing up
in Toronto, her mother and two sisters
were all naturally creative. Her mother
encouraged them to foster that artistic
inclination and to always maintain an
out-of-the-box approach.
Growing up I was always very ar-
tistic, she says. It was like breathing
to me. My mother told me not to be
a sheep; to think for myself. Thats a
guiding principle in my life. A lot of the
stuff that I make that I love the most is
what comes about almost as an acci-
dent because something happens that
I wasnt planning on. Thats how the
backsplash murals came about, because
nobody really does that. Nobody uses
the tiles as a canvas for a painting, at
least not as far as I know. I found a few
people who kind of do it, but theyre
done with decals.
When Ort was 14, her mothers en-
couragement led her to begin classes
at a local ceramics studio. They werent
formal classes, but a place where young
artists could go and tell the teacher
what they wanted to make. He would
then guide them along as to how to
proceed. It was the time spent in these
classes that solidified her passion for
creating, both ceramics and painting.
But then there came a period when she
didnt make art for many years. She got
married, started building a family, and
her art was put on hold.
Once I started having kids, I just
(Left) Innovation is paramount: Chaya Esther Ort.
(Photos: Marc Israel Sellem)
Backsplash tile murals find a natural home in
the kitchen.
couldnt, she explains. I had to put Coming back to art after 25 years in last weeks Torah portion, something
it on the back burner, which was very was, as Ort puts it, like a fish returning that Ort is quick to point out.
painful for me. But my kids were my to water. She focused her attention on Its so funny that [we are talking
art, so to speak. I have five altogether. ceramics and on finding a studio that about it] this week because the para-
When we moved to Israel in 2008, my was right for her. Once she did, the sha is about the kiyor, the sink that was
youngest was 15, and I started creating prolific creator began producing beau- used in the Beit Hamikdash [Temple],
again. All in all, it was a 25-year hiatus. tiful and functional pieces of art. It is she shares excitedly.
When Im making art, its all absorb- the combination of these two elements Its the name that I chose because
ing. I walk into the studio and Im in that defines Orts work today. When the art that I do is mostly functional
my happy space. Its like a little island. commissions for her ceramics began art. Its a deeper level when you bring
Im in it and Im so focused. Thats how to really take off a year and a half ago, art into the sphere of using it in your
I was with raising kids, so I couldnt do she created the website and brand Kiy- life. It goes from thought to speech
both at the same time. or. Kiyor means sink. The word is found to action because this beautiful thing
www.jpost.com | IN JERUSALEM 11
COVER
Orts tile art began by painting copies of photos she had taken of her beloved Nahlaot neighborhood and
surrounding areas.
was created to be appreciated, but also
to be used. Painting a picture is won-
derful, but if its also a backsplash of
tiles that are protecting your kitchen
from water damage behind the count-
er, then to me, thats an even deeper
level of art.
For Ort, the kiyor in the time of the
Temple is the quintessential piece of
functional art. It was made from the
copper mirrors that the women donat-
ed when they came out of Egypt, and
was an essential part of the daily ser-
vice of the priests, who had to first use
the kiyor as a washing station before
they could begin their service.
It was also very meaningful to me
that the copper was donated by the
women from the mirrors that were
used to ensure the survival of the Jew-
ish people, she adds.
When Pharaoh made the decree
that the baby boys be thrown into the
Nile, the men didnt want to be with
their wives because they didnt want
their babies to be killed. But the wom-
en had more emuna [faith] and were
more life-affirming. They felt, why
should we also not have girls? So they
made these copper mirrors so that
12 IN JERUSALEM | MARCH 31, 2017
they could beautify themselves and
seduce their husbands. Moses com-
plained to God in this weeks parasha
and asked if it was unsavory to use that
same copper in the Beit Hamikdash.
But God responded that there is noth-
ing more precious to Him.
It is this spirit of reusing the old and
sometimes even the broken that pres-
ents itself in Orts art time and again;
building on what came before with the
intention of elevating it higher and
higher. Her tile art began by painting
copies of photos that she had taken of
her cherished Nahlaot neighborhood
and surrounding areas of Jerusalem.
This lent itself to designing individ-
ual tiles, using varying techniques.
When the concept of the backsplash
was born, she began looking for an op-
portunity to execute it. Then a woman
in Nahlaot said she was renovating her
kitchen and looking for beautiful tile
art. It seemed like the perfect chance
to try a backsplash.
Shes a very subtle person, not
showy, Ort states. Her color palette
is muted. When she came up the idea
to have the backsplash in the style of
Anna Ticho, one of her favorite paint-
ers, I ran with it.
The tiles Ort used for the first back-
splash were ready-made, low fire bisque
ware. The elaborate mural covers the
entire back wall of the kitchen and de-
picts flowing scenes of Israel, from the
Dead Sea to the Judean Hills to Rachels
Tomb, in gentle watercolors.
People come to my house and say
that theyve never seen anything like
this; a backsplash with such a water-
color effect, Miriam Futterman, proud
owner of Orts first backsplash, says.
Chaya Esther was very good at lis-
tening to me. I said I wanted the back-
splash done in the style of Anna Ticho
and she did that, but made it personal
for me at the same time. I love Anna Ti-
chos work and that was the only thing
I could imagine having in my kitchen.
I come in here every day and I enter
this world. The kitchen is the center of
my home; this is it. I love the Land of
Israel and bringing that into my home
is very special and meaningful.
The collaborative process of creat-
ing a backsplash is something that
Ort stresses is of vital importance. She
begins by asking questions like who is
their favorite artist and what are their
favorite colors. Then they start to de-
fine the final product.
I find it very satisfying and am
naturally drawn to tuning in to what
somebody wants and helping them
find their own vision, which is some-
times unarticulated in their mind, fired and glazed, Ort would
she explains. Then its about honing
it down, which is like excavating the
vision.
Orts tile art, whether backsplash
murals or individual tiles, is amazingly
versatile. For some projects, she makes
the tiles by hand from clay indigenous
to the Land of Israel. She then fires it
and paints or glazes, depending on the
design. Most of all, she likes to help
people find what they love and what
makes them feel good; remaining mal-
leable to that collaborative process is
one of her greatest joys.
Ort has plans to do many more back-
splashes in the future, and is currently
taking orders through her website and
Facebook page. She points out that a
backsplash is not cheap. It costs be-
tween $125 and $160 per square foot.
Depending on how large the back-
splash is, the total cost changes. If
someone wants a backsplash only over
RELIGION
For her, the kiyor in the time of the Temple is the
quintessential piece of functional art. (Chaya Esther Ort)
the stove, it would be much
less. Another project she has
set her sights on for the future
is a family tile piece, where
each family member would
paint a tile. Then after its all
put it together as a larger piece
with varying solid colored
tiles, using watercolors or a
more abstract effect.
That would form a family
piece of art that everyone had a
hand in making, she adds.
I could also do tiles of
handprints of everyone in the
family. To make something
that doesnt look juvenile, but
still everyone helped to create
it. People talk so much about
building self-esteem in chil-
dren and this is a great way to
do that; much more than put-
ting drawings on the fridge.
Ort wants to begin market-
ing her backsplash art to Amer-
ican women, with tiles made
from Jerusalem clay. In this
way, the backsplash is not just
art inspired by the Land of Isra-
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el, but is comprised of pieces of
the land that become a part of
the house. Certainly, she is not
at a loss for ideas in her contin-
ual foray into creative territo-
ries known and unknown. r
The backsplash really does Kosher for Passove
sef
transform a kitchen, she con- Meat chalak Beit Yo
Kitniyot-free
cludes. You dont often find
art in the kitchen, but it really
is the heart of the home. To be HaAh
m
refro uza
Tak
foodsto
eaway
able to make a statement like
that on such a large canvas in
ill make your Seder!
the kitchen, where we spend so
much time, is really special. Pasha w
I had the courage to try
the backsplash because Im Order soon!
not afraid in my art. God gave
ade food sale for Shabbat HaGadol
me these eyes to see art every- Readym ls
where I go, all around me all and the holiday mea
the time. Its an homage to
God. If were created in the im-
age of God, who is the ultimate
creator, then being a creator in Readymade food sale for Shabbat HaGadol starts Wednesday, 5/4.
my world is me fulfilling my Early arrival is recommended on Wednesday and Thursday
destiny. So wherever I feel an Special Passover opening hours
urge to create, Im fulfilling my
Sunday (9/4) 15:00-20:00 | Monday (10/4) 08:00-15:00 | Wednesday (12/4) Closed
true nature.
For more information: Thursday (13/4) 12:00-18:00 | Friday (14/4) 08:00-15:00 | Sunday (16/4) 08:00-15:00
www.kiyor.gallery/ 28 Pierre Koenig, Talpiot, 02-6482220 | Parking in Hadar Mall | To view holiday menus visit www.pashajer.co.il
www.jpost.com | IN JERUSALEM 13