Internationally renowned sculptor Ruth Bloch is traveling more than 6,700 miles from Tel Aviv, Israel to Naples, Florida for a one-night-only personal appearance at The Englishman Fine Art Gallery according to gallery manager Ani Zimonyi. The public is invited to meet Ms. Bloch, who created four of the life-sized bronze sculptures that beautify 5^th Avenue South in Naples, at a reception on Friday, November 22 from 6 pm until 9 pm. Refreshments will be served. The Englishman Fine Art Gallery located at 365 5^th Avenue South specializes in 18^th to early 20^th century masters and selected contemporary living artists. “Ruth Bloch lives and sculpts in Tel Aviv where she creates essentially happy sculptures that defy the region’s conflicts. Her work exhibits a great depth of feeling for the human figure, revealing the living unity of her masculine and feminine forces,” explains Ms. Zimonyi. “She has a loyal band of collectors worldwide who seek solace and escapism in her optimistic works that defy any set academic teachings due to her philosophy of freedom and positive creativity,” she adds. Born in Israel in 1951 to artistic parents (her father was a musician and her mother worked in ceramics), Bloch’s family were members of a Kibbutz called Alonim, a place where childhood and early youth allowed her many opportunities to develop her artistic talents. Reaching adulthood, she attended the Avny Art Institute in Tel Aviv before continuing her education in the United States where she received a degree in psychology. A figurative sculptor, Bloch most closely relates to Henry Moore for his fluidity of line and his genius for making massive appear delicate. Her work entitled, Fatherhood, blends human forms in an eternal circle, echoing Moore’s ability to realize the full potential of the sculptural form. Unlike her predecessor, Bloch allows no separation between man, woman and child. In her view, all figures are one instead of separate because she believes all people play a key role in the perpetual circle of life. Eliminating precise detail and relying on line and form alone, Bloch creates simple, yet powerful figurative bronzes. Whether couples, parents and children, or individual female figures, her creations are an expression of her powerful emotions. Bloch’s large-scale bronze sculptures, well suited for year-round outdoor enjoyment on 5^th Avenue South, are part of the Hoffmann Family of Companies public art collection. The bronzes are located at:

1. Dancing by the Light of the Moon - 900 5^th Avenue South (Wells Fargo Bank Building)
2. Serenity – 780 5^th Avenue South (Starbucks Fountain)
3. Harmony – 680 5^th Avenue South (Chase Bank)
4. Comfortable Grace & Tall Duo – 375 5th Avenue South (Marilyn’s Dress Shop & TD Ameritrade Bank)

“Ruth’s work offers a peaceful and pure way of seeing life. Somehow seeing her feelings aid the viewer in experiencing their own,” believes Ms. Zimonyi.  “From the intimacy of Serenity to the grace and grandeur of Harmony, she captures the experience of pure joy.  Her imagery does not confound but affords comfort in contemplation and the warm embrace of loved ones.”