The Ehud Grably 2017 Monologue

In our ongoing commitment to preserve and promote the artistic legacy of Ehud Grably (1961-1994), GrablyGlobal is proud to announce the digital publication of the comprehensive Ehud Grably 2017 Monologue, now available in both Hebrew and English translations here on our website. The 2017 Ehud Grably Monologue, originally published by Grably's family in Israel in 2017, serves as a crucial primary source document in understanding the depth and complexity of one of Israel's most overlooked artistic masters. The text provides invaluable insights into Grably's artistic philosophy, working methods, and personal journey through the voices of those who knew him best. The monologue contains deeply personal accounts serving as a window into Grably’s world, including reflections from Grably's sister Lily Raz, who writes poignantly about her brother's dedication to his craft: “My brother painted since the age of 9 until his death at the age of 32. For him, painting was his world, soul and harsh life.” These intimate perspectives help illuminate the intense dedication and vulnerability that characterised Grably's approach to art. The Monologue also provides historical context and highlights the critical reception of Grably’s art during his lifetime in the late twentieth-century. Of particular significance are the contemporary reviews and critical responses contained within the Monologue, including Moshe Ben-Shaul's seminal article “Grablyistic Transmissions,” which first identified the unique characteristics that would later be recognised posthumously as hallmarks of Grably’s “Ontological Abstraction.” The text also includes detailed accounts of Grably's exhibitions, including his groundbreaking shows at the French Cultural Centre in Haifa and The Museum of Jewish Art & History in Paris.

Ehud Grably’s 2017 Hebrew Monologue captures the extraordinary range and intensity of Grably's artistic vision through its careful documentation of pivotal works from his oeuvre. Among the most striking pieces featured is his monumental “The Inferno” (circa 1981), a powerful 200cm x 160cm canvas that demonstrates Grably’s precocious mastery at just twenty years old. The work's dramatic interplay of intense reds and blacks creates an overwhelming sense of psychological depth that would become characteristic of his mature style. Equally compelling is “Birth B | Toxic Masculinity | The Elephant Slaves” (1979), created when Grably was merely eighteen years old. This large-scale 140cm x 200cm composition showcases his early genius for combining complex philosophical themes with raw emotional expression. The Monologue also highlights Grably’s remarkable “Prehistoric Musings III,”the largest known Grably canvas at 250cm x 202cm, whose prophetic imagery and violent energy seem to transcend time itself. Throughout the documented works, we see Grably's signature ability to move fluidly between mediums, from his delicate pencil sketches that reveal an extraordinarily sensitive hand, to his bold pastel works that pulse with chromatic intensity, to his stark charcoal studies that probe the depths of human consciousness. Each piece featured in the Monologue testifies to what his sister Lily Raz described as Grably’s ability to create works that are simultaneously “harsh, sad, and quite hard to take in” while being “profound and incredibly beautiful, in many different ways.” The artworks documented in the Monologue range from intimate studies to massive canvases, each demonstrating why even early critics who struggled to fully comprehend Grably’s vision could not deny his exceptional talent, with one noting that his exhibitions were destined to be “spoken of a great deal.”

Ehud Grably’s 2017 Monologue serves as a valuable resource for scholars and art enthusiasts alike. By making this document freely available online, GrablyGlobal aims to provide scholars, art historians, and enthusiasts with direct access to essential primary source material about Ehud Grably's life and work. The parallel Hebrew and English versions below ensure that this valuable resource is accessible to a global audience. The Monologue contains first-hand accounts from family members and close friends, contemporary critical reviews and exhibition documentation, personal writings and reflections by Grably himself, detailed descriptions of his working methods and artistic philosophy and invaluable historical context for his major works and exhibitions. The online publication of this Monologue aims to support academic research and this digital publication is part of GrablyGlobal's broader mission to facilitate scholarly research into Grably's contributions to late twentieth-century art. The Monologue provides crucial context for understanding the posthumous development of “Ontological Abstraction” and Grably's unique position within the artistic landscape of his time. To access the Monologue, please visit https://grably.global/hebrew-monologue-2017. We encourage researchers, art historians, and enthusiasts to engage with this material and contribute to the ongoing dialogue about Grably's artistic legacy.

Looking forward, the publication of this Monologue represents another step in our commitment to establishing Ehud Grably's rightful place in art history. We believe that making these primary sources widely available will foster new scholarship and a deeper appreciation of Grably's unique artistic vision. GrablyGlobal cordially invites the global art community to explore this invaluable resource and join us in the continued discovery and celebration of Ehud Grably's extraordinary artistic legacy. For media inquiries or additional information about the Monologue and its contents, please contact GrablyGlobal’s Chief Curator and Design Director, Marc Schulman, at marc@grably.global.