The sculpture "Monument to the Holocaust and Revival," installed in Tel Aviv, remains the most recognized work by an artist whose career spanned multiple disciplines. Born in Dresden in 1933 as Peter Martin Gregor Heinrich Hellberg, he eventually established himself as a central figure in the Israeli art scene through his work in painting, sculpture, and stage design.
Early Life and Training
Born to a German theatre director father and a Jewish mother, he relocated to the British Mandate of Palestine at age two. Following his service in the Israeli Navy, he pursued formal artistic training in the village of Ein Hod under Rudi Lehmann. During the 1950s, he expanded his experience abroad, working in East Berlin, Amsterdam, and Paris. His training included a period in 1955 at the Berliner Ensemble under Bertolt Brecht, where he also served as an assistant to designer Karl von Appen.
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Upon returning to Israel in 1961, he acted as a catalyst for moving away from the prevailing style of lyric abstraction. His practice shifted toward creating assemblages composed of found objects, often utilizing unlyrical colors and expressionist themes. This approach, characterized by a deliberate departure from established norms, generated significant controversy. His work frequently drew public attention, exemplified by pieces like his rendering of a pig wearing tefillin, which highlighted his commitment to provocative, anti-traditional forms.
Public Works and Recognition
Throughout his life, he completed over 80 outdoor sculptures across Israel and international locations. Notable public installations include "Homage to Dürer" in Haifa and his contributions to the Hakone Open Air Museum in Japan. His contributions to art were formally recognized through numerous accolades, including the 1968 Sandberg Prize, the 1985 Dizengoff Prize, the 1998 Sussman Prize, and the Israel Prize in 2004.
Later Years and Legacy
He remained an active participant in the visual arts until his death on 12 August 2021 in Tel Aviv at the age of 87. He was buried at Na'an. His creative output is maintained by his estate, with copyright management held by his three children: Orna, Dor, and Yon Tumarkin. His body of work, ranging from theatre design to large-scale monumentality, remains a permanent fixture of his professional legacy.
Fast facts
- Born: 1933, Dresden, Germany
- Died: 12 August 2021, Tel Aviv
- Citizenship: Germany and Israel
- Israel Prize recipient: 2004
- Dizengoff Prize recipient: 1985
- Notable work: Monument to the Holocaust, Tel Aviv
- Military service: Israeli Navy
- Buried at: Na'an
Questions readers ask
What was Igael Tumarkin's original name?
He was born Peter Martin Gregor Heinrich Hellberg.
Where can his outdoor sculptures be found?
He created over 80 outdoor sculptures in Israel and abroad, including installations in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Japan, and France.
Achievements
- Notable work: Monument to the Holocaust, Tel Aviv
- Worked as sculptor, painter and theatre designer
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