Painting by Sam Griffin from his exhibition "Aftermath."
The UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center is proud to co-sponsor the Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts' Jerusalem Biennale Fall 2025 Art Openings & Reception, featuring the works of Sam Griffin, Naomie Kremer, and Gabriella Karin.
Thursday, October 23, 20257:00 PM - 9:00 PMHillel at UCLA574 Hilgard Avenue
Opening Reception
Thursday, October 23, 2025 • 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Program begins at 8:00 PM
This event is free and open to the public.
Hourly parking is available at UCLA parking lot #2 on the corner of Hilgard Ave. and Westholme Ave.
Organized by the Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at UCLA Hillel. Co-sponsored by the UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies.
About the Event
Founded in 2013 by Ram (Rami) Ozeri, The Jerusalem Biennale is dedicated to exploring the places where contemporary art meets the Jewish and Israeli experience. It is a grand stage for contemporary artists who reference Jewish and Israeli thought, spirit, tradition, or experience in their work to exhibit their work in Jerusalem. We are committed to showcasing thought-provoking and soul-inspiring exhibitions and events, and invite you to explore the art and ideas that speak to exactly now. This exhibit will run through Friday, December 12th.
About the Artists & Works
Sam Griffin was born and raised in South London, UK. After spending a year studying Fine Art at the Cyprus College of Art in Larnaca, he enrolled at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem, Israel. Since 2020, he has been painting professionally, ehxibiting his work in Israel and internationally. His exhibition at UCLA Hillel is titled "Aftermath."
Gabriella Karin’s small sculptures blend whimsy and realism, shaped by her background in fashion and her survival of the Nazi Holocaust. Her exhibition at UCLA Hillel is titled "Against All Odds." Her work invites viewers into layered, emotional experiences that are both nuanced and deeply personal. Karin’s art reflects a journey from trauma to healing, suggesting that while she honors the past, she is not bound by it—evident in the playful spirit that shines through her work. Her art falls into three main categories: Feminine Figures: Elegant, flowing forms evoke the universal feminine. These minimalist, mysterious sculptures, often with hooded, featureless heads, are haunting, slightly erotic, and spiritually evocative. Lost Childhood: These works recapture the childhood stolen from her by the Holocaust. Echoing Anne Frank’s story, she portrays joyful, playful children—an act of healing and hope. Witness to History: Larger and more direct, these pieces depict scenes of persecution and suffering from her past. Though stark, they are free from bitterness, instead offering powerful honesty and a quiet hope for a better future.
Naomie Kremer’s wide-ranging practice includes painting, drawing, video art, and video-based stage design. She has exhibited widely in the US and abroad. Her work is in many private and public collections, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, The Berkeley Art Museum, The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, and the US Embassy, Beijing, China. Her video based set designs include the world premiere production of The Secret Garden co-commissioned by San Francisco Opera and Cal performances; and Light Moves, with Margaret Jenkins Dance Company. In 2024, working with ShadowLight Productions, she Art Directed an award-winning short film based on Marc Chagall’s autobiography. Her video short, Seer, is on display during 2025-26 on the video wall at the new Napa Valley Museum of Art and Culture. Upcoming projects in 2025 include an immersive video installation, After Effect, based on Hurricane Harvey in Houston, in conjunction with her honoring by The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art; and a solo exhibition of drawings, paintings and video at Idem, Montparnasse, Paris. Her exhibition at UCLA Hillel is titled "Paint Moves."
Sponsor(s): Hillel at UCLA, The Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts.