Etrusco Study

Sorel Etrog, CM (August 29, 1933 - February 26, 2014), was a Romanian-Israeli-Canadian artist, writer and philosopher, best known for his work as a sculptor. Born in Iasi, Romania, in 1933, Etrog had a childhood marked by the upheavals of the Second World War and the political regimes that followed. His early interest in art was fueled by the influence of his Charpentier grandfather and his own experience of oppression under the Soviet regime.
Etrog’s artistic training began in 1945, and in 1950 his family immigrated to Israel, where he continued his studies at the Tel Aviv Institute of Painting and Sculpture. Inspired by the diverse cultural context of his adolescence and the philosophical writings that challenged post-war society, Etrog began to explore art in various forms, ranging from sculpture to painting, through illustration of books and writing poetry and plays.
In 1958, his first solo exhibition in Tel Aviv attracted attention and earned him a scholarship to study at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in New York. His chance encounter with Toronto art collector Samuel Zacks in 1959 marked a turning point in his career, leading to his first solo exhibition in Canada at Toronto’s Gallery Moos. This experience prompted him to apply for Canadian citizenship, and he eventually moved to Toronto in 1963.

After moving to Florence in 1965 to work on his sculptures at the Michelucci Foundry, Etrog met his future wife, Lika Behar. However, a car accident in 1967 forced him to return to Toronto, where he married Behar. Despite this incident, Etrog continued to develop his artistic career successfully, exhibiting his works across Canada and internationally.
His sculptures, which explore the tensions between mechanics and the organic, have been widely praised for their originality and conceptual depth. His most notable achievements include commissions for prestigious events such as Expo 67 in Montreal and the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Alongside his artistic work, Etrog also pursued a career as a writer, collaborating with renowned authors such as Eugène Ionesco and Samuel Beckett.

Sorel Etrog passed away on February 26, 2014, at the age of 80, leaving behind a lasting artistic and intellectual legacy. Her work continues to be celebrated around the world, and her contribution to Canadian culture continues to inspire future generations.

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