Raphie Etgar

The exhibitions he curates deal with issues at the center of public discourse, human rights, civic responsibility and the commitment to bring moral and social change through contemporary art in local and universal contexts. One of the objectives of the museum is to create dialogue in face of disagreement. The museum was named by The New York Times as one of the 29 leading art venues around the globe. In 2000 Etgar initiated the exhibition COEXISTENCE: an international project that incorporates leading poster designers from around the globe. The project was displayed in over 35 cities and called for mutual understanding between fellow nations and religions.

In 1990–1999, Etgar was invited to serve as an art director and artist in residence to the S. FISHER publishing house in Germany. As part of his work he initiated a project that incorporates many leading authors and creates art works inspired by their books. Project "Bücher werden Plakate" involved Nobel Prize winning authors such as: Nadine Gordimer, J. M. Coetzee and Kenzaburō Ōe among others. His work with these renowned authors created a unique dialogue between the artistic and literary worlds that enriched the reading experience through the visual one.

In 1980–1995 Etgar was a poster designer. He created over one thousand posters and prints for theater and cultural events in those years. Etgar was invited to lecture and direct projects in academies and art institutions such as Akademie der Künste, Berlin \ National College of Art and Design, Dublin \ Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Vienna \ Hochschule der Künste, Zurich \ Akademija Likovnih Umjetnosti, Sarajevo \ Kunstakademie, Düsseldorf \ Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste, Stuttgart

In 1972, Etgar graduated from the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem.

Raphie Etgar (born August 1947, Jerusalem) is an Israeli artist and curator who has served as artistic Director of Museum on the Seam since its establishment in 2000 and until 2021.