June | 2022 | Shalom Radio UK

An apology:

Concerning the recording quality – due to technical issues, I have had to do extensive editing, and this includes Baruch’s voice – hope you enjoy listening – Shalom Radio UK

– Israeli fine artist –
Baruch Maayan

Baruch Maayan developed a love for fine art at a young age when he drew his friends and teachers in the classroom and illustrated the stories they heard, this was as early as 2nd grade.

By 7th grade everyone knew he would be an artist. He loved to experiment with different media whether clay, stone or carving wood or mixing mediums. Always drawing and illustrating, finding expression in the human form and also discovering a gift for portraiture and bringing out character. It was only in his early teens that he found expression with the brush and colour. Baruch believed that a gift of craftsmanship was something that had to be cultivated and pursued whether it be writing, drawing, painting or sculpting. He continued to learn techniques and other skills in painting, carving stone, largely from studying Michelangelo’s unfinished work . Making moulds and bronze sculptures from Rodin and other Artisans as well as in the Technicon where he was to Mayor in Sculpture. However he was unable to complete his degree due to a radical epiphany where he had a very real personal encounter with Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah while doing a 7 day blindfold experiment in the Clay sculpture studio. For a while he laid down his gift as meaningless, as if his whole life’s thrust had been useless, vanities; even, at the time, giving up on all commissions and jobs involving art which he had been doing to help with daily living.

A year or so later, during school holidays, Baruch was helping young kids in the inner city. Playing games and telling them stories in the park. It began to rain and they had to find shelter in the Church. Baruch not knowing what to do found some boards and coloured paper and quickly drew some Bible stories on the boards and had the kids fill in the spaces with the coloured paper while he told the stories to them. He went outside and wept realising that God could use the gift.. He has since been encouraged by the scripture: “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship.”” – Exodus 31:1-3

Baruch began to see his work as a type of tent making blessing. In 1999, Baruch and his wife, Karen, made Aliyah from South Africa. After spending a year in Safed where he had a gallery and studio Baruch began to serve with the Messianic leadership in the Land and after three years in Tel Aviv, planted a community of believers in the desert. Baruch has been involved with the prophetic and prayer movement of the Isaiah 19:23-25 vision for Israel and her Middle Eastern neighbours. Through his service of planting and encouraging communities of believers, {in Israel and among the nations) Baruch continues to be inspired by the word of God and this is evident in his artwork.

Baruch has become known in Israel as the Hotel Gilgal artist where many of his works are on display for all of the guests to see and admire. He has made several large bronze sculptures depicting scenes and heroes from the bible as well as several series of large paintings and a number of Mosaics

Baruch continues to work with the messianic community and produce Art. He has recently written and produced his own music album and plays in a band with other Israeli Messianic musicians. Baruch and Karen have raised five amazing children in the Land to the glory and praise of God.