Esti Sehaiek Har-Lev, a resident of Poria Illit, near the southwestern shore of the Kinneret, is engaged in multidisciplinary art: she writes, sculpts and teaches bio-therapy and bio-ergonomics.
“My sculpting has gained momentum in recent years,” she says, “so I created large sculptures which are located throughout the country and at several sites in the Migdal and Jordan Valley area as well.”
Her statues of sheep, some standing, some resting, sculpted in white limestone and basalt, have been placed on the lawn at the entrance to the ER of Baruch Padeh Medical Center, formerly known as the Poriya Medical Center, near Tiberias.
Esti feels that placing her sheep on the hospital lawn completes a cycle. “My parents were very connected to Poriya Hospital,” she says. “My father was a bookkeeper for the Friends of Poriya association, and my mother volunteered here and managed YAEL (the Volunteer Organization at the hospital), until 1999. I feel that I’m continuing their legacy and I am happy to create and contribute to the hospital.”
Dr. Erez On, director of the medical center, noted, “We thank and congratulate Esti for her wonderful contribution. We strongly believe in an artistic environment as a means of improving the atmosphere and people’s feelings, and created an environment that encourages recovery. To our delight, Esti has connected with this initiative with all her heart and artistic talent.”
The special relationship with the sculptor was created about a year ago, in a meeting with Dr. On and Mia Zaban, the community relations officer. Esti is currently working hard on additional sculptures that will adorn the grounds of the medical center.