Amikam Toren (°1945, ISR) shows a number of works with
the title 'Blue Beard'. These works are related both to portraiture and the
passage of time. It's title makes a reference to colour rather than to the
story of Blue Beard. The work began in February 1997 and is on going. Toren's
facial hair constitutes the pigment with which the paintings are made. Every
three months the collected shaving of his facial hair is mixed with a
colourless binder to make paint that is applied to the canvas which measures 40
x 30 cm (the same size as his bathroom mirror in front of which he shaves). The
painting is made to look like a monocrom painting and is dated at the back of
the painting as well as on a lable which hang below it. Important events in his
life are commented on where relevant.