Artist Statement

In my FLY book I wrote about our place as sparkling entities within the vastness of a dark universe, when I started to paint, stars and galaxies landed on my canvases. Then I was exposed to Lennart Nilsson's inner body photography and, I was amazed about the similarity between stars and ovum, comets and sperms, embryos and galaxies, so, on big canvases I created my version of the beginning of human life. From those two series', emerged my current body of works 'Cycles of Life'. In my belief life and death are on the same bar of existence and there is no 'out there'.
My method is called Free the Life within You, FLY is about the freedom to dare, cross the lines, be spontaneous, to mix oil and acrylic with cold tar in an unpredictable process and to embrace the unexpected results. Since 2009 I have been teaching
FLY workshops around the globe. I believe that making and teaching art is my part of a collective effort to enlighten our world.”
Ted Barr.

Biography

In 1992 Barr graduated from Israeli Battalion Commanders' Academy and served as deputy battalion commander with the rank of a Major.
In 1980, after release from his conscripted army service, Barr began a ten year period of study in his fields of interest: Symbolism, Buddhism, Ancient Egypt, Numerology and Kabbala, along with earning a M.B.A degree in marketing from the Tel Aviv University,
graduating in 1990.
In 1995 Barr started seven years of private art lessons under the Israeli master Shlomo Tzafrir in Old Jaffa where his first exhibition opened to the public in 2001.
The leading concepts in Barr's art are deep space and celestial elements, the beginnings of life, embryos, ovum, and the development of the embryo in the womb, inspired by the images of the Swedish photographer Lennart Nilsson.
Barr does not sign his name on his canvasses. Instead, he developed a private symbol that encapsulates his esoteric studies experience and represents his life philosophy written in his FLY book.
Barr has since exhibited his artworks in New York, Montreal, Palo Alto, Perugia, Guadalajara, Detroit, Tokyo, San Antonio, Chianciano Terme, Cannes, Seoul, Eindhoven, Athens, Miami, Toronto, Venice, Kathmandu, Jaipur, Udaipur, Berlin, Mumbai, Dallas, Delhi and Paris.
Barr wrote several books:
‘Krombie’, a children's book published by Shalgi PH, 1990
‘Frau Gruber's Farm’, an allegory about the Hitler regime, published by Tamuz PH in Hebrew, 2006, English version, 2011
'LTC Insurance', published by Bursi PH, 2009
'FLY- Have magic in your life', published by Contento PH, 2017
On October 2008 Barr founded the Current Art Group, an international artist gathering, with over 7000 members worldwide.
Since 2009 Barr has curated art shows for The Current Art Group in: Miami, NYC, Paris, Venice and Tel Aviv and leads the FLY workshops where he
teaches his FLY (Free the Life within You) method he developed and uses in his artworks.
From 2014 Barr collaborates with architects and designers implementing his art on various industries like:
Architecture – with V5 Architects Firm, and the architect Benjamin Perry in charge, art on buildings, Jerusalem, Israel
Fashion - Label2 Fashion House, Milano Italy
Cars - Ferrari cars, Boca Raton Florida
Furniture - Alex Padwa Design Studio, Tel Aviv, Israel
Casa Arte, Udaipur, India
Raphael Grimberg Costa – Sao Paolo, Brazil
Kitchens and home decor - Yafit Riklin -Tifa Arts, Haifa, Israel
Carpets - Bhadohi carpets, Uttar Pradesh, India
Accessories – Mabood International, Varanasi, India
Design – shoes and accessories in his Etsy store
Starting from 2009 Barr developed the FLY workshops for educators and mentors, enhancing creativity and authentic self-expression with the understanding that life as art should be in constant change and movement, he works closely with educational plans in schools, art academies and universities in India, UK and Israel.

Exhibitions

Athens, Greece, Art Number 23 Gallery
curator Constantine Anjulatos
Eindhoven, The Netherlands, Klokgebouw
curator Els Van Lent
Tokyo, Japan, Shibuya – Ku Art Station
curator Makoto Maruhashi
London, UK – London Art Biennale, Kings Road
curator Mary Gagliardi
Barcelona, Spain – Gell Fine Art, Representation
curator Jason Gell
OWW Online Gallery – Game Site
curator Yarden Yaroshevski, designer Jennifer Bothroyd
Gimpo. South Korea, CICA Museum, curator Leejin Kim
Auroville.India, Art Brute Gallery, FLY lecture & workshop
Bangalore.India, Titan Group, FLY lecture & workshop
Hosur. India, Bhairavi Design & Skill Academy, FLY lecture & workshop
Mumbai. India, INFD fashion school, FLY lecture & workshop
Varanasi. India, Bhadohi Carpets, FLY Carpet line
Varanasi. India, Mabood International, FLY bags line.
Delhi, India, Pragati Maidan, curator Romil Dhakar
Greater Noida. India, furniture line, curator Romil Dhakar
Pune. India, Symbiosis University, FLY lecture & workshop
Udaipur. India, Sanskriti Art Museum, curator Rajesh Yadav.
Udaipur, India, The Royal Palace, curator Rajesh Yadav
Nimboli. India, Fire Mountain, FLY lecture & workshop.
Tel Aviv, Israel, Art Market gallery, curator Johannan Herson, SOLO SHOWJaipur. India, Pearl Academy, FLY lecture & workshop
NYC, NY, Dacia Gallery, curator Lee Vasu.
SOLO SHOWMiami Beach, FL, Scope Art Fair during Art Basel Miami, co-curator with Alessandro Berni.
Art Palm Beach, FL, co-curator & exhibitor with Alessandro Berni, Udaipur.
India, FLY lecture, exhibit & workshop invited by The Art PivotTruth or Consequences.
New Mexico, Starry Nights residency.
Tel Aviv, Israel, Astronomy Conference, Tel Aviv University, curator Yifat Pearl, SOLO SHOW.
Corso Como 9, Milan, Italy, Emerging from The White, fashion show with Label2 Fashion House, curator Federica Sosta.
SOLO SHOWChelsea NYC, NY, Clio Art Fair, curator Alessandro BerniPerugia.
Italy, Alessandro Berni Gallery, curators Alessandro Berni & Giancarlo Pastonchi, SOLO SHOWVenice, Italy, Venice Biennale, Palazzo Barbarigo, on Raphael work 'The School of Athens', Co-curator & artist with Leonardo Rotatori & Valentina FasanGrand Rapids, Mi, ArtPrize 7, DeVos, curator Eddie TadlockBoca Raton, Fl, Ferrari car art, Curator Robin Babbit, SOLO SHOWMiami, FL, Scope Miami Beach during Art Basel Miami, co-curator with Alessandro Berni.
Tel Aviv, Israel, Artists House, curator Dr. Dalia Hakker.
Toronto Canada, Frame of Mind Gallery, curator Ezra Ballas.
NYC, NY, Dacia Gallery, curator Lee Vasu, SOLO SHOW.
Berlin, Germany, Autocenter, curator Carsten Nicolai.
NYC, NY, NOoSPHERE Gallery, curator Frank Jackson.
NYC, NY, Clio Art Fair, Chelsea, curator Alessandro Berni.
NYC, NY, Call for Bushwick, selection panel – Holly Crawford, Jill Conner, Michela Bondardo, Vida Sabbaghi, Alison Pierz.
Paris, France, Memoir de l’Avenir Gallery, curator & artist with Margalit BerrierGrand Rapids, MI, Artprize, DeVos, curator Eddie TadlockDallas TX, Luminarte Gallery, curator Matt Anzak.
NYC, NY, Orchard St. Gallerybar, curator Frank Jackson, SOLO SHOW.
Ramat Gan, Israel, Ramat Gan Museum, curator Monica Lavee.
Bari, Italy, Curatorial workshop via VESSEL art organization.
Erfurt, Germany, Bilder Galerie, curator Lee Vasu.
Sibiu, Romania, Galeria Habitus, curator Lee Vasu.
San Antonio, TX, UNAM- Fusion Arts Gallery, curator Bertha Anaya.
Delray Beach, FL, Arts Garage, Curator Alyona Ushe, SOLO SHOW.
Kathmandu, Nepal, The Israeli Embassy House, curator Hanan Goder, SOLO SHOW.
Patan, Nepal, Patan Museum, The FLY workshop with KCAC art organization.
Prague, Czech Republic, Vernon Gallery, curators Shalom Newman & Doron Polak.
Miami, FL, LMNT Gallery, curator Matt Anzak.
NYC, NY, CAF show at the Javits center, curator & exhibitor for the Current Art Group.
Miami, FL, The River Art Fair, curator & artist for the Current Art Group.
Miami, FL, Nina Torres Gallery, curator & artist with Nina Torres.
NYC, NY, The Broadway Show, Dacia Gallery, curator Lee Vasu.
Givatayim, Israel, Water Gallery, curator for the exhibition 'Homage to Frida Kahlo'Izmir.
Turkey, Izmir Biennale, curator Seba Urgun.
Tel Aviv, Israel, Daniel Gallery, curators Daniel Ohayon & Amir Cohen Black Rock desert, NE, Burning Man project, documented by Lior Jacob.
Tel Aviv, Israel, Ruth Gallery, curator Haim Hennig, SOLO SHOW.
NYC, NY, Dacia Gallery, curator Lee Vasu, SOLO SHOW.
NYC, NY, Ward Nasse Gallery, curator Harry Nasse.
Dallas TX, Luminarte Gallery, Curator Matt Anzak.
Miami, FL, Art Basel Miami, AFP Gallery, curator Frank Jackson.
Beit Oren, Israel, FLY workshop, exhibit & lecture, curator Immi Feller.
Tel Aviv, Israel, Opera House, curator Udi Rosenwein, SOLO SHOW.
Hayward, CA, Passion University, exhibit, lecture & FLY workshop, curator Lior Jacob, SOLO SHOW.
Hovinkartano, Finland, Contemporary Art Center, curator Amili Gelbman
SOHO, NY, Ward-Nasse Gallery, curator Harry Nasse.
Guadalajara, Mexico, Valle Real, FLY workshop & exhibition, curator Mappy Wereka, SOLO SHOW.
Venice, Italy, Venice Biennale, via New York Arts, curator Tchera Nyego
San Miguel De Allende, Mexico, FLY workshop.
Chianciano, Italy, Chianciano-Terme Museum, exhibit and lecture, curator Mary Gilardi.
Marseille, France, Gallery Dennis Roman, curator Catherine Babylon.
Tel Aviv, Israel, Gallery Gebo, curator Yohannan Herson, SOLO SHOW.
NYC, NY, Ico Gallery, curator Skylor Brumans.
Ramat Hasharon, Israel, Geological Museum, curator Rachel Sasporta, SOLO SHOW.
Paris, France, Cargo 21 Gallery, curator Doron Polak.
Old Jaffa, Israel, Horace Richter Gallery, curator Reli Vaser.
Montreal, Canada, Gora Gallery, curator Robert Gora, SOLO SHOW.
Herzliya, Israel, Science Center, curator Varda Genosar, SOLO SHOW.
Detroit, MI, Janice Charach Gallery, curator Danielle Peleg.
Palo Alto, CA, Passion University, curator Lior Jacob, SOLO SHOW.
NYC, NY, Fusionarts Museum, curators shalom Newman & Doron Polak.
Tel Aviv, Israel, Sokolov Press House, curator Miri Krimolovsky, SOLO SHOW.
Tel Aviv, Israel, EL-AL Airlines Globus, curator Esti Drori.
Old Jaffa, Israel, Old Jaffa Museum, curator Naama Meirovitz, SOLO SHOW.
Istanbul, Turkey, Istanbul Art Fair, represented by NYC Arts, curator Tchera Nyego.

My FLY Journey

My journey combines flow and layers which are displayed on canvases, what happens on the canvases resonates with my dreams, thoughts, and emotions, and the creative process on my canvases became an unseparated part of my life.
I am constructed out of layers, physical body, memories, and thoughts, I am in constant movement, life is about experiencing the flow of time, it is my choice how to spend my limited quota of days and moments, I choose to live the FLY - Free the Life within You - way of life, with three main elements: Flow, of colors Merge, contradicting ingredients Layers, celebrating each layer on my canvases and in my life
FLY is about letting go, not everything needs an explanation, reasoning, an approval, I am not trying to determine precisely what will be the final result, I find it liberating to let my mind focus on the process rather than on the result, FLY is about celebrating the unexpected.
This surprising method took me to the most unexpected places from San Miguel de Allende in Mexico to Kathmandu in Nepal, I led many FLY workshops around the globe and met many open and curious human beings, some of them became like family to me, I delivered lectures and workshops in universities and academies, schools and art centers, in all the FLY workshops the same inspiration is shared, what happens on the canvases is always a miracle for me, and as a way of life I believe in miracles, in the power of being immersed in a creative moment and be open to embrace any unexpected outcome, this miraculous way led me to collaborations I never dreamed about, like a fashion line in Milano, creating my art on Ferrari cars, series of handmade carpets with my art in Bhadohi India, series of furniture, jewelry, lighting, and projects with V5 Architect firm - implementing my art on building facades.
My master Shlomo Tzafrir said that if I want to be an artist, I need to be ready, as a fisherman is always ready and has a fishing rod nearby, so a painter has to have his canvases and colors in immediate reach, from that day on I kept my canvases and colors close by. I started an unexpected full of surprises journey, painting the Deep Space series - galaxies and stars, The Human Formation series - ovum and sperm, the development of embryos in the womb and the Cycles of Life series about symbolism and the human journey.
In the Covid days I started an online journey, creating my first FLY online course in Udemy, and my first online store on Etsy that sells my designs on shoes, fashion, bags, and accessories, recently I started my first steps in the NFT realm with the Niftorian accelerator and I find it quite fascinating very human being that is exposed to the FLY essence is invited to be part of the larger FLY family and to start its own unexpected, full of-surprises, inspiring journey.
My life mission is to be always there, support, share and spread the FLY essence to as many human beings worldwide.
Have magic in your life
Ted Barr

TED BARR

Artist Statement

“My Method Is Called FLY - Free The Life Within You, FLY Is About The Freedom To Dare, Cross The Lines, Be Spontaneous., amd embrace changes and unexpected events in our lives.."

Biography

Ted Barr was born in Nevodar, Romania, on the shores of the Black Sea. At the age of four his family immigrated to Israel. In 1975 Barr was drafted into the Israeli army, in which he served as a regular soldier, officer and reservist for twenty-six years.

Exhibitions

My FLY Journey