Nikita Ben Ami: A Journey from Uzbekistan to a Life as an Artist in Israel
Nikita Ben Ami, originally from Uzbekistan, arrived in Israel for a brief singing tour in 1992 but felt an immediate connection, leading her to stay permanently. Transitioning from singing to jewelry and sculpture, she has embraced her artistic journey while exploring her identity. Ben Ami’s story is one of adaptation, creativity, and a deep love for Israel, where she currently resides and continues to create impactful art.
Nikita Tourdiev, originally from Uzbekistan, traveled to Israel in 1992 for a month-long professional singing tour at the age of 25. The journey was meant to be temporary as she intended to explore opportunities in America. “I left three days after [President Mikhail] Gorbachev opened the borders and spent five years touring Europe… Israel was part of the tour,” she stated, revealing her unexpected connection to Israel upon arrival.
Upon arriving, she experienced a profound feeling of belonging, describing the sensation as if the “earth was like a sponge sucking me in.” Despite her initial short-term contract to perform, she decided to extend her stay and ultimately immigrated permanently to Israel in 1993, after attending to her affairs in Uzbekistan.
Nikita’s early life was divided between her birthplace Tashkent and Moscow, stemming from her diverse family heritage, which included a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother. She reflects, “I was never connected to Judaism, but a friend who is a rabbi once told me that I’m a lost Jewish soul… I’m discovering I am totally Zionist.”
Recognizing the challenges of being a singer in Israel, she transitioned into graphic arts and subsequently jewelry making after a friend’s suggestion. “As crazy as it sounds, I said ‘Okay,’” she recalled. Eventually, her unique jewelry pieces caught attention, leading to exhibitions and commissioned works, including turning trash into art: “It’s an intriguing process to turn a pile of garbage into a beautiful thing.”
Nikita pursued formal training at the Omanit School for Jewelry Design in Tel Aviv, despite her unconventional tools at the time. Her creativity flourished, leading to her works being featured in prominent venues, including a hotel gift shop in Jerusalem. She created avant-garde pieces, including a crown for a beauty contest, describing them as “wearable sculptures.”
Maintaining her wanderlust, she moved through various cities in Israel and later spent ten years in the United States. However, she felt unfulfilled. “I always felt it was not my place… I felt a thread pulling me back to Israel all the time,” she said about her experience in America, which led her to return to Israel.
Upon returning to Israel, she opened her own shop in Tel Aviv, eventually expanding her craft to large sculptures. A significant piece commissioned by the Helping Hand Coalition was presented to Pope Francis in 2022. In 2019, she established a jewelry and sculpture studio in Neveh Tzedek, where the COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to explore painting. “I was really missing color during that very scary time,” she expressed, and her paintings received positive reception upon reopening.
Currently, Ben Ami prepares for a three-week exhibition titled “The Other Side of the Canvas: The Story Untold,” featuring works that reflect her life experiences, with the grand opening on April 5. She now resides in Netanya and continues to balance her artistic pursuits, including teaching Japanese drumming, which she describes as one of the best experiences of her life.
Nikita prefers the surname Ben Ami, reflecting a time in her life that resonates with her identity, as it signifies “son of my people.” She concludes, “If someone asks me to describe my feelings about Israel… I chose this country, and it’s my home.”
Nikita Tourdiev, now known as Nikita Ben Ami, embodies a remarkable journey from Uzbekistan to Israel, marked by her evolution as an artist. Initially arriving in Israel for a singing tour, she discovered a profound connection to her new home, which led to her permanent immigration. Throughout her diverse artistic endeavors, from jewelry making to sculpture, she maintains a spirit of exploration and adaptation. Her story underscores a deep-rooted affinity for Israel, a place she proudly considers her home.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
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