Ori Gersht

Ori Gersht is an Israeli-born, London-based photographer and video artist renowned for his exploration of history, memory, and landscape through a poetic and metaphorical lens. Born in 1967 in Tel Aviv, Gersht studied Photography, Film & Video at the University of Westminster and earned a Master of Photography from the Royal College of Art in London. His work often delves into the complexities of visually representing conflict and violent histories, challenging the boundaries of photography and questioning its claim to truth .

Gersht's acclaimed series, such as Blow Up, Pomegranate, and Fields and Vision, juxtapose beauty with violence, capturing moments of destruction in slow motion. These works often reference art historical genres like still life and landscape, presenting exquisite images underscored by darker associations of conflict. His photographs and films transcribe images of sites of historical significance into ciphers of psychological disruption, evoking the emotional resonance of what has transpired .

One of Gersht's notable quotes is: "Violence can be very grotesque and also intensely attractive. What interests me is how the two—beauty and violence—live side by side, and how moments can be created and erased almost simultaneously. Destruction is painful, but at times it can be very cathartic" . Another insightful statement from him is: "I have lived all my life as part of an ethnic conflict" , reflecting his personal connection to themes of conflict and memory in his work.