In the exact spot where the scent of spices blends with the aroma of coffee and roasted nuts, amid a row of charming little shops frozen in time, Gali Rosner opened Ines Gallery about a year ago.

The unique and intimate space spans two floors, providing a platform for Israeli artists, creators, and designers.

(credit: YUVAL HAI)
(credit: YUVAL HAI)
Currently, Ines Gallery marks its one-year anniversary with a new exhibition, "Childhood in Composition," by the artist Maya Kogan. The exhibition title offers a peek into Kogan's creative world, oscillating between past and present, hinting at childhood fantasy, which serves as an endless inspiration for her works.

In her pieces, Kogan breathes new life into tiny toys and mischievous childhood characters. Whether these are toys hidden inside Kinder chocolate eggs or beloved miniature figures collected over the years, her engagement with them is akin to an artistic puzzle where everyone can find the figure that captures their attention, evoking childhood memories.

(credit: YUVAL HAI)
(credit: YUVAL HAI)
The exhibition, like a sweet candy, serves as an escapism from the tense and painful current times. An antidote of innocent and playful toys, which are given new life, allowing everyone to connect with their childlike side.

The transformation of these old toys into art pieces is not only an ecological act of recycling but also an artistic move of "ready-made" with an optimistic message that brings a smile.

(credit: YUVAL HAI)
(credit: YUVAL HAI)
Kogan's attraction to working with miniature toys, identified with their industrial plastic aesthetic, began many years ago, long before she became a mother. Thus, she tries to preserve the sense of innocence and simplicity in which she grew up. Those toys were her whole world back then.

Each artwork consists of numerous toys that together tell a story. "Strawberry," "Nintendo," "The Green Giant," "Iron Man," "Simba," "Captain America," "Unicorn," these are just a few of the names of the art pieces that will shine in the exhibition. So, everyone who enters the gallery will find their piece of childhood or the toy they loved and forgot.

(credit: Yahav Terodler)
(credit: Yahav Terodler)
Kogan's works are not uniformly colorful. Sometimes she decides to give a new, uniform color to her creation, reflecting her mood at the moment of creation. Just like in her latest creation, "Yellow Ribbon," where Kogan will donate the proceeds from its sale to an association offering support programs for Swords of Iron orphans.
(credit: NOAM PREISMAN)
(credit: NOAM PREISMAN)
"Childhood in Composition" - Maya Kogan's solo exhibitionCurator: Gali RosnerInes Gallery, 11 Hachalutzim St., Tel AvivOpening: May 31 - 10:00 AMClosing: June 8Days: Tue-Thu 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Fri-Sat 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM