Sad Finger Puppet I. Painting

Benami Stern (b. 1978, Budapest) is a Hungarian-born Jewish artist whose life and work are deeply shaped by Jewish history, identity, and the harsh realities he has witnessed. The Hungarian Jewish community, particularly its Eastern European heritage, has made significant contributions to global culture and intellect, and Stern’s work reflects this rich legacy. His grandfather, a Holocaust survivor from Auschwitz, profoundly influenced his creative journey, inspiring him to explore themes of Jewish endurance, cultural separation, and communal achievement. Though Stern initially pursued a career in business, his artistic inclinations were always present. He earned a degree in Global Management from Salford University in Manchester, studied Terrorism Studies at St Andrews University, and later completed his MBA in Hong Kong. After spending two decades in the international defense industry, Peter has traveled extensively through conflict zones and witnessed firsthand the realities of poverty and suffering. His time in Haiti, where he saw extreme poverty and despair, and his deep understanding of the constant terrorist threats facing Israel have had a profound effect on his artistic perspective. These experiences, combined with his unshakable belief that, despite suffering, humanity’s noble purpose is to serve its original goal to find joy and to bring joy to the world, fuel his creative expression. Through his paintings, Peter explores this conviction with extraordinary sensitivity, using a unique visual language to reveal the beauty that emerges from hardship. His work is a reflection on survival—both personal and collective—and the enduring spirit of those who face constant threats. Now a father of three daughters living in Budapest, Benami Stern continues to express the complex layers of history, identity, and perseverance through his art, creating pieces that speak to the strength of humanity, the resilience of the human spirit, and the inherent beauty of life.