Alain Kirili

Born in Paris, Alain Kirili moved to New York in the 1970s. He is known for sculptures that draw upon both European and non-Western traditions and crafts, including ancient Jewish and African art, as well as for collaborations with musicians, poets, and dancers. Commandment II, made from forged iron originally from Torah decorations, was inspired by the work of Torah scribes. In 1986, Grand Commandement blanc, another piece from this series, was installed in the gardens of the Tuileries in Paris. A major retrospective of Kirili’s work was organized by the IVAM Museum of Valencia (Spain, 2009).