Winners

Gali Cnaani

Textile, Fashion & Jewelry Design
Established Designer Award

“Textile—which is more ubiquitous than any other material or medium, from the moment we wake up to the time we retire for the day, from birth till death through all of life’s stages, in its everyday (jeans and a T-shirt, a towel, a carpet, beddings) or festive appearance (holiday and ceremony clothes, tapestries)—has become almost transparent for many. It is there, but they do not contemplate the fact that someone had designed it, that it is not the automatic output of a machine".

Gali Cnaani, born in 1968, acts out of great respect for history, for the billions of human-hours of those who were here before us—who wove, embroidered, felt, dyed, and printed, perfected all these technologies continuously and created the tremendous variety of textiles in the world. Working consistently in Israel’s design industry for many years, Cnaani is an active designer as well as a senior lecturer at the Textile Design department of Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art, where she herself graduated some 30 years ago.

Cnaani is a recipient of the 2022 Edmond de Rothschild Design Award for Established Fashion, Textile, and Jewelry Designers.

 

The jury panel’s decision:
"The Edmond de Rothschild Design Award is granted to Gali Cnaani for her outstanding body of work in the field of textiles. Her work expands the boundaries of the field while simultaneously delving deeper into the professional depths associated with it. Using the simple means that have formed the basis of textile art from its inception, Gali excels in formulating and developing innovative and surprising research and creative methods that demonstrate profound knowledge and understanding of the field. In doing so, she has become a unique expert who chooses to share her extensive knowledge. She does not settle for existing technical skills alone but is committed to challenging, expanding, and sharing the existing knowledge in her field.

Her creations encompass a wide range of functions, mediums, and contexts, from poetic objects to monumental architectural installations. In her meticulous work, she reshapes and reorganizes surprising elements found in our surrounding environment - discarded clothing, industrial remnants, precious materials, and even books. With great sensitivity, Cnaani directs attention to textiles, a humble medium accompanying humanity from its inception and woven into every stage of our lives, capable of comforting and astonishing alike. Her works reveal a love for materials and mediums, for techniques and objects that resonate with her environment. Each item hints at humility and respect for the textile tradition, intertwined with countless hours of human handcraft, both in ancient times and today.

Due to this unique expertise and her impressive work, the judging panel chose to laud this investigative designer and draw attention to her significant work. Therefore, Gali Cnaani is awarded the 2022 Edmond de Rothschild Design Award in Textile, Fashion, and Jewelry Design, in the category of Established Designer".