About

Some artists cannot be confined to a single medium. They mix formats, experiment with various materials and constantly aim to innovate. One such artist, Ari Hersch, is building his career on dismantling the boundaries between art, architecture, and design. 

 

Hersch is a self-taught artist born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Hersch attended the renowned Greenside Design Center after finishing School. During this period he received multiple awards and accolades on various architectural and design projects. After receiving his degree with distinction in Interior Architecture and Design,  Hersch was headhunted by South African Architect and designer Mokena Makeka to work at his Cape Town based office. Hersch worked and received valuable creative, design experience and mentorship while working at MDL.

 

In 2012, he pursued design work and joined one of South Africa’s leading property groups as Art Director & Brand Manager where he excelled and won the group international awards from two of his campaigns.  Hersch’s passion for art and portraiture started at the age of 11 after studying and learning about artists such as Gerard Sekoto, George Pemba and Ben Macala. His style, subject choice and works are still heavily influenced by these masters today. 

 

Hersch’s works are fast becoming familiar to many. He has had works featured in Group and solo exhibitions at key galleries and shows in South Africa, including the DaVille Baillie Gallery, Arts on Main and the Johannesburg Turbine Art Fair. His works are strongly influenced by the facial expressions, innocence and happiness of his subjects. His skill sets have evolved and he has trained himself to use a number of mediums such as pencil, pen, charcoal, water colour, acrylic, oil paint and now digital. 

 

Hersch enjoys pushing the boundaries and is currently experimenting with the use of technology in the artistic space. After refining his skills in marketing and design, Hersch followed his lifelong passion for art and setup and opened the A Hersch Studio in 2019 which is situated in Johannesburg.

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Hersch's passion extends his commitment to giving back to others and the community. His works have appeared in charity auctions to raise money for various causes in which he donates the full amounts raised to help and support the organisations. 

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Awards & Accolades

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2009: Top finalist for African Bank Corporate design project

2010:  PG Bison design awards

2010: Top Finalist with Special mention at the Plascon Prism Awards

2010: Top Finalist Imbizo Project

2013- 2014: International Property Awards, Highly commended for marketing and design

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Exhibitions

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2013: Solo Exhibition, art360 Gallery, Maboneng, Johannesburg, South Africa

2013: The Mazars collection, Johannesburg, South Africa

2013: Group Exhibition,The Gavin Project, Johannesburg, South Africa

2014: Group Exhibition Art10k, Johannesburg, South Africa

2014: Group Exhibition, Candice Berman Gallery, Johannesburg South Africa

2015: Turbine Art Fair, The Gavin Project, Johannesburg South Africa

2016: Turbine Art Fair, The Gavin Project, Johannesburg South Africa

2017: Knext Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa

2019: Group Exhibition, Artwerks, Daville Baillie Gallery, Johannesburg South Africa

2020: Solo Exhibition, Convivial, Daville Baillie Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2021: Group Exhibition, Art is for Everyone, Kroll Contemporary Art, Tel Aviv, Israel