David Ascalon, American Artist. Certified private pilot. Winner International Design competiton City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1992. Member American Society Interior Designers (certified), Interfaith Forum Religion Art Architecture (merit award 1982, 87), National Council Art in Jewish Life(4 merit awards 1983), Accredited Artists Union American Hebrew Congregations, B'nai B'rith.
Background
Ascalon was born in Tel Aviv, in the British Mandate of Palestine (now Israel) on March 8, 1945. He received his early artistic training as an apprentice of his father, the Hungarian-born sculptor and industrial designer, Maurice Ascalon (1913–2003). Ascalon came to the United States as a teenager when his father took the family across the Atlantic as a means to broaden their horizons.
Education
He attended Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, California and graduated in 1963. David studied art and design at the California State University at Northridge as well as architecture and interior design at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, and Pratt Institute in New York, where he received his degree.
Career
Throughout the 1970s, Ascalon worked in the fields of interior design and architecture in New York, and for the firm of the noted Israeli architect Arieh Elhanani in Tel Aviv. Seeking a more immediate means of artistic expression than the architectural arts would allow, he began experimenting in sculptural metalwork, exploring abstract compositions with a welding torch. He currently resides in the Philadelphia suburb of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and in the Hamptons on the east end of Long Island, New New York
In recent years, Ascalon has taken an active role on issues of artist rights advocacy, and in 2010 filed a federal suit under the Visual Artists Rights Acting (Vereeniging van Arbeiders Radio Amateurs) in a case involving the rights of artist with respect to the restoration of public sculpture.
Adir was a surrealist painter and sculptor who collaborated with the noted Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros. David is also a licensed airplane private pilot.
In 1977, David relocated to the Philadelphia area where he joined up with his father to form lieutenant was then that he began focusing his efforts on the creation of site-specific artwork for worship and public spaces. Much of his work draws on ecclesiastical themes, however utilizing non-traditional approaches and contemporary forms.
In the years since its founding,, under David’s direction, has executed hundreds of projects throughout North America, ranging from monumental sculptures and liturgical stained glass windows, to mosaic murals.
Among his sculptural installations are a number of Holocaust Memorials that pay tribute to the victims of the atrocities (included are many from his own family).
Achievements
Membership
Artist rights advocate. Member American Institute of Architects, American Guild Judaic Art (board directors 1996-2002, president 2005—2009), American Society Interior Designers (certified), Interfaith Forum Religion Art Architecture (merit award 1982, 87), National Council Art in Jewish Life (4 merit awards 1983), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, American Guild, Philadelphia Sculptors, International Sculpture Center.
Interests
Avocations: photography, music, travel, flying.
Connections
Married Ronit Mayrowitz, March 24, 1968. Children: Eric, Bradley, Josh.