“When I create art, it’s all about making spaces feel special and meaningful.”
– Yafit Riklin
Q: Can you share an intriguing aspect of your background with us? What’s your story?
Yafit Riklin: As an artist and designer, my journey has always been about bridging the gap between material and soul. My art spans a wide spectrum from realism to abstract, thanks to my deep-rooted curiosity and innovation. Leveraging advanced technologies, I’ve created a unique artistic language that blends various techniques and styles.
Q: How would you describe your artistic style?
Yafit Riklin: Defining my art is challenging. But it’s deeply rooted in my love for decorating spaces and infusing them with my soul. My journey started in childhood, selling my creations at 14. This early start helped me carve a niche in creating art that beautifies any space and resonates with a wide audience.
Q: What first inspired you to pursue this unique creative direction?
Yafit Riklin: Ever since I was a child, I’ve always been drawn to nature. It’s played a big part in my art. I chose the dragonfly as my brand symbol because it just felt right. Especially after working on a project where I drew them for pool walls. Over time, I learned more about what the dragonfly means and its amazing qualities. This learning helped shape my view of life and my art. I found out that dragonflies form a heart shape when they mate, which was a fascinating discovery I made during the Corona lockdown.
Now, when I create art, it’s all about making spaces feel special and meaningful. I’ve worked on many different projects – for big hotels, offices, public places, and personal homes. In each one, I try to mix what the client wants with my artistic style. I’ve learned to blend practical design. Which is all about solving problems and meeting needs, with the freedom of art, which is more about being true to yourself. This experience has helped me refine my style. Which includes the dragonfly theme, using both flat and 3D elements, and combining art techniques with modern design tools and methods.
Q: What has been the biggest satisfaction in your art career?
My career has been marked by several landmark projects, each bringing its unique satisfaction. A notable highlight was my work at the Beijing Science Center- where I created a wall covering that simulated biological cells.
Another project that stands out is my contribution to the Arsof Cliffs residential complex. Here, I designed organic forms for the building facades. Which not only added aesthetic value but also integrated seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
Currently, the most thrilling endeavor is the establishment of the LIBELLULA dragonfly gallery in Venice, Italy. This opportunity came to me at an ideal time, reinforcing my belief in optimism and the correctness of the universe’s timing. This project, like my others, represents a confluence of my experiences and growth as an artist, continually evolving and adapting as I progress in my career.
Q: How has being a woman affected your career?
Yafit Riklin: Navigating the male-dominated fields has had its challenges, but my focus on creativity and effective communication has helped me overcome them. I’ve been active in promoting women’s roles in these industries for over 20 years. Recently, I’ve been involved in a project called ‘Wing’, which aims to help women who are alternative builders. This project includes working with the Center for Assistance to Sexual Assault on a presentation about Tal Asher, a 31-year-old woman who faces significant challenges but has an incredible ability to inspire. Although she can’t speak, her story is powerful and contributes to the advancement of women.
It’s encouraging to see more awareness about the importance of women in the industry. I have friends like Eran Rolls who are dedicated to promoting women in construction, which makes the work both enjoyable and rewarding.
Q: Tell us about your Motiva ‘Through the Illusion’. What inspired its creation and its title?
Yafit Riklin: My Motiva, ‘Through the Illusion‘ is deeply connected to how I see the world. The main idea is like a wing, which represents each individual. I was fascinated to learn that dragonflies form a heart shape when they mate. This ties in with my belief that the whole world is greater than just its parts and that we should always listen to our hearts.
The dragonfly theme in this work is more than just a picture; it’s full of deeper meanings. I like to think of the dragonfly as being able to see beyond just the surface of things. The different colors and types of dragonflies I use show the variety in life, just like my pencil drawings show a range of tones from black to white.
This work makes me think about how there’s so much more to the world than what we can see, and how much there is still to learn. It’s a way for me to stay connected to the present. Also, as a secular Jew, I’ve included references from the Tanach to express universal and timeless values in my art.
Q: What are your thoughts on collaborating with Motiva?
Yafit Riklin: Working with Motiva has been a transformative experience for me as an artist. Their unique platform, which blends design, art, and technology, has been instrumental in my artistic development. The dedicated team at Motiva supported me throughout the process. Allowing me to continuously refine and evolve both my creative approach and the final product. For me, Motiva represents more than just a collaboration. It’s an example of how working together can achieve greater results than individual efforts.
‘Through the Illusion’, a limited edition of 33 is now available on motiva.art
