Bazooka Joe (b. 1963, Israel)
Self-taught Israeli artist born in Bat Yam. Raised in a financially comfortable family, yet without a close emotional connection to his family, he struggled with drug addiction in his youth, which led to several years of imprisonment. It was from this breaking point, without any formal training, that he discovered painting and began developing his own visual language.
Under the name Bazooka Joe, he created a distinctive style he calls “Gangster Art” – a bold, colorful and direct visual language combining symbols, text, and surreal imagery. His works explore identity and processes of change, reflecting a free and unconventional worldview.
His works have gained recognition and are held in notable private collections, and he is considered an artist who developed a strong personal voice shaped by an extraordinary life story.
