Edna Dohan describes human ways of behaving through her paintings.
Her point of departure is the episodic nature of our existence. According to her, there are only two solid facts in our lives, both of them beyond our control: the first is the very fact of our existence, and the other, the fact of our "banishment" from the world.
She claims that our existence is not only tedious but also fraught with obstacles. This leads her at times to wonder "why and to what end are we here, and what is all the fuss about ?! "
Her paintings describe the various survival gimmicks and tricks, which one uses to keep going, in the face of our tedious episodic existence.
Dohan takes various objects and a collection of paper dolls and figurines, some of which were created by her children, and personifies them. The landscapes in her works are also a metaphor of the human situation. Dohan contrasts our temporariness and minuteness with the permanence of eternal nature.
In one of the paintings, there is a plastic chair which expresses expectation. The chair is a synthetic product of the transient man, as opposed to the vast eternal desert. In a considerable number of her paintings, the range of colours seems to express optimism.
The light colors in her work - pinks, light blues, pale greens - enable her to feign a beautiful and bright world.
In some of the works, colors like pink express "synthetic" un-integrated, and anomalous presence of man in the world of nature. In other works, she describes man as being caught up in the unending and unavoidable rat race.
In one of the works - there is a juxtaposition between lines of cars moving ahead in predetermined lanes - and an old teddy bear, out of place and not belonging there. This scene reflects her individuality and her different internal rhythm - the rhythm of a toy drum.
In her series of works, the artist uses gouache on paper. She uses a mass of paint that is not diluted in water. The style for her work is figurative.
Curator - Sarah Malki
Studies
1971
1985-89
1989
Theater and philosophy, Tel Aviv university.
Ramat Hasharon Art Teacher's College - Major in multimedia and artistic photography.
Artistic photography, Haifa University, Summer semester.
Exhibitions
1971-73
1973
2000
Portrait paintings to order and exhibitions in private homes.
One man exhibition at Beit Emanuel in Ramat Gan.
One man exhibition at Cultural Center "Mofet", Raanana.
Teaching
Since 1987
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Teaching art at the Arazim boarding school (Sdeh Ytzhak).
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Teaching art in various institutions, implementing a unique format of teaching method developed by her.
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Enrichment courses to teachers all over the country in the framework of departments for continuing education. The program consists of four semesters and is approved by the Ministry of Education for CE compensation ("gmul hishtalmut").The subject of the course is "The 20th Century Art - directions and possibilities". The course takes the form of a practical workshop providing the basics knowledge of colors and forms, and combination of materials and styles. The course is designed in a way that develops creative thinking.