1970s Irene Awret (B. 1921) Framed Ceramic Figural Tile Painting, Jimmy Carter "Peace" Series

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This visually striking and historically significant mid-20th-century original framed ceramic relief art tile was handcrafted and hand-painted by the renowned … Read more This visually striking and historically significant mid-20th-century original framed ceramic relief art tile was handcrafted and hand-painted by the renowned artist Irene Awret (1921–2014). Belonging to the artist's celebrated "Peace" series, this vibrant, highly textured artwork features a stylized central female figure balancing an abundant basket of fruit on her head while cradling a pomegranate, beautifully framed by soaring birds and traditional fish motifs. The piece carries profound historical provenance, originating from a 1977 artistic initiative. Amid President Jimmy Carter’s intensive diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, Irene and her husband, Azriel Awret, were commissioned to create a dedicated artwork series celebrating peace and brotherhood. Pieces from this historic series were famously presented to and displayed within the Jimmy Carter White House during the monumental era surrounding the Camp David Accords.

An accomplished painter, ceramicist, and author, Irene Awret was born in Berlin in 1921. She escaped to Belgium in 1939, where she met her husband of nearly 70 years, the sculptor Azriel Awret, while both were imprisoned in the Nazi internment camp in Mechelen, Belgium. She later chronicled this harrowing period in her acclaimed autobiography, They Will Have to Catch Me First. Following the war in 1949, the couple immigrated to Israel, where they became foundational figures in the region's cultural landscape by co-founding the famous Safed Artists' Colony. In 1982, they relocated to the United States, continuing to produce some of their finest collaborative and individual work. Following Azriel’s passing in 2011 at age 101, Irene continued her lifelong dedication to painting and writing until her own passing in 2014. This exceptional work is signed "AWRET" by the artist along the lower edge of the tile surface and comes professionally housed in a mid-century style metallic finish frame with a clean fabric matte border that perfectly complements the vibrant red, blue, and gold glazes of the ceramic tile. See less