Mekomit

Age: 24

Currently living and working in: Tel Aviv, Israel 

 

Gal Houbara

 

How did you get your start in the design field? I studied art history at an arts high school (I’m currently working on my BA), where design wasn’t a part of the curriculum. I produced a fundraising design exhibition with two designers that taught me a lot. My partner in life is a graphic designer, and he keeps exposing me to this world, but the spark that truly started Mekomit is the Art Girl Rising tote bag. I purchased one tote, an item that is only a small part of AGR's work to raise awareness to women artists. It came to my mind to collaborate with them on a local project: a tote that will feature our local artists. The Women behind AGR, Nina and Liezel, are amazing and I could not be more thankful for their trust in me. 

 

 

Tell us about some of your inspirations: I think the combination of art in all its forms - visual arts, theater, dance, cinema and poetry. My dad is an artist and an antique collector. The house I grew up in was full of vintage furniture and artifacts that he got from friends or found on the street, that had been converted into art or furniture. I like to combine old with new and take a lot of inspiration from the Japanese Wabi-Sabi tradition, both mentally and aesthetic wise.  

What’s your favorite part of the work process? Specifically, during the work on Mekomit X Art Girl Rising tote bags, I truly enjoyed learning about the artists (Lea Nikel, Karima Abboud, Aviva Uri, Aliza Auerbach and Sionah Tagger). That is my main goal in getting the bags out in the world - I aim to raise awareness to these women's artistic work through the years, and to change the local art canon.

 

 

 

What’s your favorite design item in your own home?  A "nnbyn" tote bag that I framed, by the designer Ann-gham Khalil. The meaning of words on the bag is "Wear it out with pleasure". I believe in supporting local brands and slow fashion. Another item is the "Guerilla Girls" kitchen towel, displaying their iconic cynical text "The advantages of being a Woman Artist". Both of them combine text and design in a special way that I just wanted to hang on my wall! 

 

 

 

Is there a piece or collection that you feel represents you the most?
The Mekomit X Art Girl Rising totes are close to my heart. Only after we started to work on this collaboration did I understand the true meaning of lack of representation of women artists in the local and global art world. It is in our hands to change *His*story, - we need to acknowledge the importance of women’s contributions to our culture.

What would be your dream project to work on? There are so many! but I think curating an exhibition with local curators, I aspire to learn from others as much as I can. 

 

 

Discover the last tote bags by Mekomit X Art Girl Rising here!

 

*Photos credit: Yasmin Ben Shachar