Distant and recent history, tradition and life situations have provided
Sam Phlipe with the inspiration for his art work. The materials he uses
are Jerusalem stone, black Galilee basalt, bronze, sterling silver and
gold.
All of the materials are chosen for their purity and authenticity by the
artist.
Every sculpture created by Sam Philipe is the result of months of work
- from the stage of the hand-carved wax figurine to the final polished
product cast in metal.
Sam Philipe, a fifth-generation Jerusalmite, started his artistic
career while serving as a paramedic with the Israel Defense Forces. During
his spare time, he would make dolls and have special displays at art
fairs. After completing his compulsory military duty, he spent a year in
New York City, restoring antique furniture and studying art. Returning to
Israel, he began sculpting... in chocolate, supplying kiosks and mass
distributors with his sweet creations. He then worked for artists as a
designer. In 1989, he opened his own workshop in Jerusalem and
subsequently, established a number of galleries and showcases in some of
Israel's finest hotels.
Sam Philipe is convinced that art builds bridges between nations and
between religions. He says "Instead of making war, and exchanging bullets
and bombs, we should be giving each other art. It opens doors and builds
bridges. Art fosters understanding, and this helps us talk sensibly and
positively with each other".
Sam Philipe's unique sculptures have been rapeatedly commissioned by
Israeli leaders to be presented to kings, presidents and world leaders
such as: Pope John Paul the II, President Clinton, King Hussein of Jordan
who was appropriately given a statue which embodies Isaiah's prophesy of
the Lion & the Lamb, the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin O.B.M. who was
presented with a sculpture of a paratrooper praying at the Western Wall,
and the First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Hilary Clinton, who received
the statue of the Samaritan Woman at the Well and an Angel Brooch.
