Biography

My name is Hana Altaratz descended from the Itzkovitz family. I was born in Japan in the city of Kobe in 1941. My parents escaped from Poland and survived through the help of the Japanese ambassador Chiune Stempo Sugihara. After many hardships we arrived in Israel. I was one-year old. My infancy and youth were spent in Tel Aviv.

 

Today I am a resident of Yehud, married with three daughters. I have a masters degree in Biology (from The Hebrew University, Jerusalem). I worked in biological research in Tel Aviv University’s School of Medicine. 

I was the Israeli champion in women’s fencing in the 1960’s. The winner of a gold medal in the eighth Maccabiah (1969)
 

I have been drawing ever since I can remember. Back as a child when my father would bring home small books of the greatest artists, I would sit and stare at them for hours. Already in my youth I began to paint and study art. 

Up until 1986, art and creating things took the form of a hobby, small time, until I attended Gabi Benjano’s workshop. It opened my eyes to the world of modern art. It took the form of 4 years of solid study and practice of painting and sculpture.

 

In 1990 I was accepted as a member of the Israeli Artists and Sculptors Association.

In 1999 I was accepted as a member of IAPMA - the International Association of Hand Papermakers and Paper Artists. Working with recycled paper completely changed my artwork and even my inner world. Since then, I participated in many IAPMA conferences, to which my supporting husband accompanies me each time. 

In 2004 I visited Japan for the first time. All my mother’s tales came to life before my eyes. When I returned to Israel, I signed up for a Japanese calligraphy workshop led by Tirza Paytan Sela, which combines aesthetics, philosophy and art, and where I remain a member to this day.

I have taken part in dozens of group exhibitions both in Israel and abroad as well as solo exhibitions in Israel. 

My work can be found in private collections both in Israel and abroad.

Today I am the chairwoman of the Yehud - Monosson and its surrounding areas Arts Association. I participate in calligraphy studies and lead a workshop for rapid model sketching.

I paint on paper using mixed media, I am very fond of rapid sketching, I work on recycled paper pulp, I engrave upon recycled paper and I study Japanese calligraphy.

 

You are most welcome to press on the links and see a small selection of my work.

I hope you enjoy them!