She was an anonymous X-ray technician and a grunt in the Israeli army before she became a member of "Israel's royal family." Now, the artist Ariela Wertheimer says her visibility as a member of the wealthiest family in Israel compounds the vulnerability that nearly every artist faces when showing their work. "I was painting and doing things all my life, but I was afraid to be exposed, because of my family name, because, I don't know why, many things," Wertheimer said Monday on Cheddar TV. "The moment you show your art, your work, you expose yourself." Wertheimer is preparing for her first New York exhibition, "The Freedom to Let Go", which will be featured at ArtExpo New York from April 19 to 22. Wertheimer is married to Eitan Wertheimer, the son of Stef Wertheimer, one of the wealthiest people in Israel. Stef Wertheimer sold his businesses in 2013 and 2014 and now spends his time seeking a reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. "He's a wonderful person, he's always cared about Israel, he's 93 years old now, and he'll never let go," said Ariel Wertheimer. Her husband Eitan was scheduled to join her in New York for the opening of her exhibition, but instead he stayed in Israel to escort his father to events celebrating Israel's Independence Day. For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/ariela-wertheimer-talks-her-art-and-being-part-of-israels-royal-family).
