Fresh off the plane from a two-week tour in Tunisia last November, the energy emanating from 80 year old author Esther Dagan was so infectious it inspired me. Aside from her amazing stories about worldwide travels and the famous individuals she has met, I am intrigued by the creativity preoccupying this amazing lady’s mind. Esther’s ability to paint a complex and abstract literary portrait is demonstrated in one of her recent poems, Three Mothers, in which she weaves the historical, philosophical and maternal interconnections of three mothers encountering each other in an ambiguous online chat room. What will her vivid imagination, merged with a unique talent to expound on the rich treasure box of memories from her Jewish heritage, create next?
Seeing all that Esther has accomplished so far as a mother, author, poet, teacher, art historian and African art specialist is a truly inspiring example of what one individual is capable of doing. Born in Jerusalem, Esther graduated from Scola Cantorum Dance Academy in Paris, and later received her BA and MA in Theatre and Drama from Tel Aviv University where she taught the History of African Arts for ten years. Esther traveled the African continent extensively, collecting art and documenting her work in an impressive collection of photos, sketches, films, maps, stamps, journals and 13 published books on the African Arts.
In 1978, Esther immigrated to Montreal to further pursue her dreams and promote the African Arts in Canada. She opened Galerie Amrad African Arts in 1981, taught at Concordia University and was invited as guest lecturer to many institutions. Besides publishing a total of 17 books, hundreds of her articles and essays have been in print. Within the last two decades, Esther’s writing has shifted to fictional short stories, plays, screenplays and poems.
In 2009, Esther generously donated 400 selected pieces of her outstanding African Art Collection to the Royal Ontario Museum, along with her extensive archives and library. In January, as a continuation of celebration for a Season of Africa, the ROM displayed about 40 pieces featuring puppets, masks and musical instruments from The Amrad Collection. “The purpose of my donation is to promote the African Arts and educate Canadians”, Esther responds passionately when asked about her priceless collection of a lifetime.
Today, it is hard to visit Esther’s Westmount home without noticing the African art sculptures and paintings amongst an array of other personal collections; cacti, orchids, blue glass and seeds. If you are lucky, you may even get a personal guided tour. “I love these photos!” she adds warmly, stepping back to admire a collection of framed black and white photos of Africa, hanging a few feet away from one of her own remarkable paintings.
While Esther has forged many international friendships including prime ministers, artists, curators and African tribe chiefs alike, it is clear that she has made her way into the hearts of many in Montreal. She is endeared to a collection of devoted friends who joined her in celebrating her 80th birthday in March.
Seeing all that Esther has accomplished so far as a mother, author, poet, teacher, art historian and African art specialist is a truly inspiring example of what one individual is capable of doing. Born in Jerusalem, Esther graduated from Scola Cantorum Dance Academy in Paris, and later received her BA and MA in Theatre and Drama from Tel Aviv University where she taught the History of African Arts for ten years. Esther traveled the African continent extensively, collecting art and documenting her work in an impressive collection of photos, sketches, films, maps, stamps, journals and 13 published books on the African Arts.
In 1978, Esther immigrated to Montreal to further pursue her dreams and promote the African Arts in Canada. She opened Galerie Amrad African Arts in 1981, taught at Concordia University and was invited as guest lecturer to many institutions. Besides publishing a total of 17 books, hundreds of her articles and essays have been in print. Within the last two decades, Esther’s writing has shifted to fictional short stories, plays, screenplays and poems.
In 2009, Esther generously donated 400 selected pieces of her outstanding African Art Collection to the Royal Ontario Museum, along with her extensive archives and library. In January, as a continuation of celebration for a Season of Africa, the ROM displayed about 40 pieces featuring puppets, masks and musical instruments from The Amrad Collection. “The purpose of my donation is to promote the African Arts and educate Canadians”, Esther responds passionately when asked about her priceless collection of a lifetime.
Today, it is hard to visit Esther’s Westmount home without noticing the African art sculptures and paintings amongst an array of other personal collections; cacti, orchids, blue glass and seeds. If you are lucky, you may even get a personal guided tour. “I love these photos!” she adds warmly, stepping back to admire a collection of framed black and white photos of Africa, hanging a few feet away from one of her own remarkable paintings.
While Esther has forged many international friendships including prime ministers, artists, curators and African tribe chiefs alike, it is clear that she has made her way into the hearts of many in Montreal. She is endeared to a collection of devoted friends who joined her in celebrating her 80th birthday in March.
Written by Esther Briner
Edited by Lucinda Atwood
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