Flora & Fauna | Gow Langsford Gallery
Gow Langsford Gallery, Auckland, New Zealand, is thrilled to present Flora & Fauna, a selection of artworks by London-based artist Zadok Ben-David.
The intricately painted stainless steel artworks presented in Flora & Fauna provide a compelling view of the artist's practice, showcasing the technical and conceptual finesse that has underpinned his global success. Flora & Fauna is Ben-David's first exhibition in New Zealand since he participated in the group exhibition 'Roundabout' at Gallery Wellington in 2010.
https://gowlangsfordgallery.co.nz/exhibitions/333-flora-fauna-zadok-ben-david/
February, 14 2024
New Horizon: Vision of the Future | Arts Maebashi Museum
Arts Maebashi in Maebashi City, Japan, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year after opening in October 2013 as a public art museum in a renovated commercial facility located in downtown Maebashi.
Since its opening, the museum has showcased many local art projects as well as exhibitions based on the three concepts of "being creative," "sharing with others," and "being interactive."
This exhibition, "New Horizon: Vision of the Future," commemorates the museum's 10th anniversary and will further expand the collaboration between citizens and artists based at Arts Maebashi to the urban area. It will display works using artificial intelligence, augmented reality (AR), and other technologies in the arcade area,, and in surrounding contemporary buildings developed through urban design in partnership with the public and private sectors.
The project will also expand its activities to the city center and will include immersive video installations and works from the residency programs of young artists who will lead the next generation. In anticipation for the "next 10 years" of Arts Maebashi, this exhibition will open up new possibilities for art and museums in an ever-changing city.
As part of this exsiting group show Zadok Ben-David presents us with 'People I Saw But Never Met'. Within it are approximately 6,000 human figures cut out from metal and arranged on sand.
The people are diverse in size, gender, nationality, appearance, and clothing. One could say that the work is a true depiction of human society in the present age.
This modern and diverse society once dreamed of world peace and prosperity amid the backdrop of globalism. But with wars, global warming, and anxiety over AI, blockchains, and other new technologies, it is no longer optimistic. Nevertheless, Ben-David presents us with a beautiful and diverse image of human society.
https://www.artsmaebashi.jp/en/?p=4482
October, 14 2023
The Love of Art Comes First. Art & Project | Kröller-Müller Museum
The exhibition The Love of Art Comes First. Art & Project at the Kröller-Müller Museum is an exhibition created in close collaboration with the RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History in The Hague.
Exactly ten years ago, the Kröller-Müller received over 300 works of art donated by Geert van Beijeren and Adriaan van Ravesteijn, who assembled an impressive art collection of over 800 works as an extension of their gallery activities.
They named that collection Art & Project / Depot VBVR, after the initials of their names. Over the years, after the gallery closed, they divided up this collection and donated works to the Rijksmuseum Twenthe in Enschede, the Kunstmuseum in The Hague, the Kröller-Müller Museum, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam and the MoMA in New York. The gallery's archive went to the RKD in The Hague, as did a large collection of artists' books that Van Beijeren and Van Ravesteijn had collected.
Zadok Ben-David's sculpture 'The Bright Reincarnation of the Antilope' is on display alongside many artworks from the Depot VBVR collection. The exhibition also includes artworks that were acquired by the museum from Art & Project or purchased there by other collectors, who later donated them to the Kröller-Müller. All 100 artworks are in some way related to the legendary Art & Project.
Seoptember, 30 2023
Nascosti Alla Luce Del Sole + Natural Reserve | Nashira Gallery
Zadok Ben-David is first taking part in a group show before showing solo at Nashira Gallery in Milan, Italy.
The group show “Nascosti Alla Luce Del Sole” ("Hidden in the sunlight") will feature participating artists; Ako Atikossie, Zadok Ben-David, Alik Cava-liere, Maria Positano, Emanuele Resce, and Sebastian Thomas.
The exhibited work by Ben-David presents two faces and two viewpoints.
The work is inspired by the sculptor’s experience during a folk gathering at Quito in Ecuador, where he saw a man wearing one of the traditional indigenous garments: Aya Uma, the representation of a devil. A figure representing the world and the universe in the Andean community, seen as the coming together of all opposites, north and south, husband and wife, light and dark, sun and moon.
Ben-David's solo show at Nashira Gallery, which begins in November, is 'Natural Reserve".
Man owes so much to plants but often forgets them, not considering that they too are living things that are born and die. The Botanic Gardens Conservation International estimates that 30 percent of the existing plant species on the planet today are at risk of extinction due to various causes: climate change, overexploitation, and change in their habitat.
Zadok Ben-David has for years been pursuing an artistic quest that promotes a message of return to a state of coexistence in harmony and respect not only with plants but with all living beings and peoples on the planet. It is therefore with pride that Nashira Gallery is showing the large-scale installation Blackfield (2007-2021) along side many other sculptures and video artworks.
Ben-David's work is as succinct as it is effective a representation of the opposition between life and death that leads the viewer to reflect on their own emotions and transience.
https://www.nashiragallery.com/en/featured_item/natural-reserve_eng/
Seoptember, 21 2023
Natural Reserve | Annandale Galleries
Zadok Ben-David’s first solo at Annandale in Perth, Australia, since 2016 features sculptures, drawings, and videos which ‘entred on themes of tragedy and hope, shining a light on the relationship between humanity and the natural world.
“For Ben-David, it’s important that a work projects an initial sense of wonder. Our first feelings when we stand in front of a large installation, are ones of astonishment. The next sensation is pure delight, but this paradise is quickly lost, or at least thrown into question.”
- John McDonald for Natural Reserve exhibition catalogue.
March, 22 2023
People I Saw But Never Met | Centro Cultural Itchimbia
Zadok Ben-David's first exhibition in Ecuador at the incredible Centro Cultural Itchimbia. This is the largest version of this installation to date including 141 aluminium sculptures and over 6,500 stainless steel miniatures.
Since beginning work on this installation in 2015, the reading of its meaning has shifted with each exhibition in line with its location and cultural context.
Historically, and up to the present day, Ecuador is a noted hub for migration, People I Saw But Never Met is therefore particularly salient as a metaphor for the world's diversity and population. Altogether there are thousands of human figures representative of the plurality of ethnicities, languages, traditions, cultures and religions inhabiting our planet.
https://quitocultura.com/team-member/centro-cultura-itchimbia/
September, 24 2022
The Forest Through The Trees | Laumeier Sculpture Park
Forest Through the Trees at Laumeier Sculpture Park, Missouri USA, presents a selection of artists whose observations range from figurative representation to conceptual experimentation where the tree is treated as both the individual subject and a collective of multiple objects.
Trees have long inspired artists and writers with their majestic power and natural beauty. This exhibition takes another look at this familiar subject matter. As a park and a collecting institution, Laumeier has previously explored a myriad of concepts around sculpture and nature. This exhibition asks visitors to look at the Park and their environment differently, pointing directly to the physical relationship and conversation created between the audience, the artworks, and the trees that populate this landscape.
https://www.laumeiersculpturepark.org/forest-through-the-trees
August, 27 2022
Bienal de Arte de Cerveira | Vila Nova de Cerveira
Zadok Ben David contributes to this latest edition of the oldest Biennale in the Iberian Peninsula, (Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal) sending his monumental Corten Steel sculpture 'Girl on the Run'.
A message from the President of the Biennale:
History is made with the will, determination, intelligence and dreams of men.
With his actions over time and here, specifically, with forty-four years of valuing a unique territory and affirming Vila Nova de Cerveira as the “Vila das Artes”, a project built based on the desire to democratize the Art.
I believe that in “Vila das Artes” it is essential to raise awareness and instill in the population the value of all this cultural heritage and go even further. It is urgent to meet people and bring art to everyone, without exception. Show the power of art to change the world, to open a new renaissance, a new renaissance. Thus abandoning some entropy and passivity. It is not enough to keep up with the evolution of times and society. We have an obligation to be at the forefront of all this.
This edition will be carried out in a hybrid model, thus allowing us to reach more audiences and unite more voices around this project to value Contemporary Art as a way of thinking about the world.
We all “must act” now! Thank you for joining us, it is also part of our common project.
July, 16 2022
Shrubs, Flowers and Decay | Galerie Albrecht
Shrubs, Flowers and Decay shows two artists whose work explores similar themes in very different ways.
Zadok is presenting several, never before seen, hand-painted flowers in mirrored boxes alongside photography by Tilyen Mucik.
The show runs at Galerie Albrecht in Berlin until 19th May 2022.
https://www.galeriesusannealbrecht.de/shrubs-flowers-abd-decay/
March, 25 2022
From Here and There | Sotheby's Israel
The works on display are part of the artist’s grand body of work People I Saw but Never Met which to date includes more than 6,000 chemically acid-etched stainless steel miniature figures and 200 large hand-cut aluminum figures. It features figures of people seen over the past 6 years by the artist throughout his travels across the globe, however without personally meeting them.
https://www.sothebys.com/en/about/locations/tel-aviv
September, 03 2021
Natural Reserve | Kew Gardens
Natural Reserve is Zadok Ben-David's first UK-based solo exhibition to incorporate new and existing works by the artist since 2008.
The exhibition centers on themes of tragedy and hope, as well as shining a uniquely creative light on the relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Brand new and extended artworks are featured, including the stunning 360-degree installation Blackfield which is made up of more than 17,000 etched, hand-painted flowers.
Receiving sustained critical and public acclaim in over 20 countries worldwide, Blackfield is being displayed for the first time in the UK as the centerpiece of Natural Reserve.
The immersive floor installation contains stainless steel flowers all assembled by hand. These tiny floral motifs are based on illustrations from 19th century Victorian encyclopedias.
Blackfield is a breath-taking piece that provides a unique opportunity to experience Zadok’s unique vision of nature and reflect on the contrasts between life and death.
https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/zadok-ben-david-natural-reserve
October, 16 2021
People I Saw But Never Met at Tel Aviv Museum of Art
New solo show of Zadok Ben-David at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in Israel. This is the largest installation to date including 110 aluminium sculptures and over 6,000 stainless steel miniatures. Ben-David began working on the installation in 2015, adding more and more figures with each passing month as the work itself continued to grow. But it isn’t only its scale that changed over time. So, too, has the reading of this installation. The past year, marked by a global pandemic, has lent the work a new and unexpected meaning: a kind of heightened sensitivity in us, the viewers, to the idea of social gathering. At a time when movement across countries and borders has grinded to a halt, something in the measured distance between these figures appears almost prescient—a foreshadowing of our new routine of social distancing.
https://www.tamuseum.org.il/en/exhibition/zadok-ben-david-people-i-saw-never-me/
June 18, 2021
Breda Photo 2020
September 08, 2020
Zadok was invited to show his video installation 'Conversation Peace'. The video shows two stationary silhouettes of people bent towards each other. Whether they are in conversation or in conflict is free to interpretation. In the silhouettes, a sensual narrative plays out, starting with a lovely landscape that slowly becomes a war zone. At the same time, the soundtrack of charming birds becomes a hard and tense pulse...
XXI Bienale Internacional de Arte de Cerveira 2020
July 09, 2020
XXI Biennale Internacional de Arte de Cerveira in Portugal celebrates its 42nd edition with a monumental sculpture by Zadok Ben-David. Displayed along the river Minho, the sculpture ’Girl On The Run’ makes a connection between Portugal and Spain. In his work, the artist plays with movement and illusion, transforming human-scale people into monumental symbolic figures.
www.bienaldecerveira.pt
Exhibition "Continuous (Re)generation" at the Columbia Circle, Shanghai, China
November 23, 2019
The exhibition "Continuous (Re)generation" exhibits Blackfield at the Columbia Circle, Shanghai, China in 2019-2020. The show features the work of Zadok together with other international artists who raise important environmental topics.
13th Krasnoyarsk Museum Biennale in Siberia, Russia
September 04, 2019
The 13th Krasnoyarsk Museum Biennale is the oldest interdisciplinary Biennale in Russia since 1995. On this occasion, the Museum Center for Contemporary Art in Siberia called "Peace Square Museum" hosts the largest installation of "People I Saw But Never Met" ever displayed. The program of the Biennale is devoted to the artistic rethinking of Siberian and international art, the study of the urban problems of the city, the problems of communication between modern art and human, as well as the local specifics of art.
"The desire to get closer to the people from the piece is intentionally upset as the viewing is possible only from the edges of the field. Ben-David carefully arranges the figures to create patterns and paths that lead the eye across the space. Among the static figures, there is a hidden movement where everyone moves in different directions and where the sand acts as a fertile ground to shows both the fragility of the foundation on which the human community stands, and the substance from which we all flow. And, despite the differences in scale - there is no hierarchy, each figure, regardless of its origin, is considered with dignity and respect."
Exhibition "People I Saw but Never Met" at the Centro de Arte Contemporanea Graca Morais, Braganca, Portugal
June 18, 2019
"People I Saw but Never Met" is Zadok Ben-David’s latest ongoing body of work inspired by people from all around the world. The installation originates from culled and drawn photographs of people that Zadok took while travelling to Europe, central Asia, Australia, USA, and Antarctica. To celebrate this diversity, the Braganca Contemporary Art Museum in Portugal has organised the most comprehensive exhibition so far, including sketches, drawings, individual sculptures and a large-scale installation constituted of 4,000 chemically etched miniatures and 90 large hand-cut figures made from aluminium.
Exhibition “Continuous Refle(a)ction” at the Riverside Art Museum in Beijing, China
May 24, 2019
Blackfield installation and Conversation Peace video feature in the exhibition “Continuous Refle(a)ction” at the Riverside Art Museum in Beijing, China. On the occasion of this group show, the Museum invites outstanding artists from all over the world to discuss the hot topic of environmental protection. “Refle(a)ction” being the combination of “Reflection” and “Reaction”, the aim is to reflect on environmental issues and human civilization through the perspectives of contemporary art. The audience's reaction to art, discussions and debates taking place throughout the exhibition duration are expected to have a continuous effect on participants...
Evolution & Theory, back to Prehistory!
May 07, 2019
« 36,000 Years of Modern Art » is a film by Manuelle Blanc dedicated to the imprint of Paleolithic art in today's Modern Art. The film featured as part of the curation programme of the exhibition « Prehistory, A Modern Enigma » at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, France.
Along a chronological path, the exhibition unveils how artists like Zadok have succumbed to the appeal of origins in the modern era, yielding to a fantasised vision of what came before history. This time-machine constantly shapes the mental boundaries of modernity and provides concrete models for all sorts of experiments.
Upcoming exhibition showcasing “Blackfield” by Zadok Ben-David at Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature, Paris (France)
June 04, 2018
Upcoming exhibition at Chasse et de la Nature, Paris (France). Zadok Ben-David will be showing one of his major installation “Blackfield” from the 5th of June to the 2nd of September 2018
“SUNNY MOON” BY ZADOK BEN-DAVID AT SCULPTURE BY THE SEA COTTESLOE, AUSTRALIA 2018
March 02, 2018
The hand cut corten steel sculpture ” Sunny Moon” by Zadok Ben-David will be shown as part of the 14th Annual Cottesloe exhibition in Cottesloe beach, Western Australia . The art festival will showcase one of the largest free to the public outdoor sculptures exhibition along the Cottesloe coast line from the sea wall to North Cottesloe.
‘The Other Side of Midnight’ and ‘Blackfield’ exhibition at Laurence Wilson Art Gallery, Perth (Australia)
February 10, 2018
The two major installations ‘The Other Side of Midnight’ and ‘Blackfield’ by Zadok Ben-David are being showcased in the exhibition ‘Human Nature’ at Laurence Wilson Art Gallery, Australia.
These two installations are the centrepiece of this exhibition that brings optimism and magic to issues such as our relationship with nature and our views of life and death.
Time lapse of Blackfield with 20,000 miniature flowers installed last week in Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery in Perth, Australia. With the help of over 60 local assistants.
Conversation Peace by Zadok Ben-David at International Perth Festival, Australia
February 09, 2018
‘Conversation Peace’ (2018)
in collaboration with Ido Sherf & Shahar Brill
Music by Avshalom Caspi
New video version about peace & war, part of the International Perth Festival in Australia opened on the 9th of February 2018.
See below a sneak peek from the full video of 3 min 52 sec. The video is part of the 3 major installations by Zadok Ben-David currently shown at Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery for the exhibition ‘Human Nature’.
Exhibition runs from the 9th of February until the 21st of April.
“People I Saw But Never Met” Installation by Zadok Ben-David in Seoul, Korea
December 06, 2017
From the 6th of December 2017 to March 2018
“People I Saw But Never Met” is Ben-David’s latest ongoing body of work, 2000 chemically etched miniature figures will be displayed in a private location in Seoul (Korea) as part of SUUM Project. Each figure was culled from photographs the artist took of people he encountered from a distance as a result of his travels to Europe, The United States, Central Asia, Far East Australia, and Antarctica. The installation brings together an unlikely assemblage of global citizens. Ben-David’s sculptural milieu comes at a critical point in our current socio-political climate where heated debates about exclusion and borders versus inclusivity and multiplicity are part of our daily experience.
In collaboration and organised by The SUUM PROJECT
Book Launch of ‘Human Nature’ by Zadok Ben-David
November 09, 2017
Zadok giving a talk during the book launch party en the 9th of November 2017
Purchase here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zadok-Ben-David-Nature-Felicity-Fenner/dp/191142209X
THE NEXT FORTHCOMING SHOW – PERTH FESTIVAL 2018
January 01, 2020
PERTH FESTIVAL 2018
From the 10th of February to the 21st of April 2018
Zadok Ben-David will be taking part of the Perth Festival in Australia from the 10th of February to the 21th of April 2018.
For the occasion the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery will be showcasing two major installations of Zadok Ben-David “The other side of Midnight” and “Blackfield”. The world touring installation “Blackfield” has been previously shown in Japan, Tel Aviv, Singapore, Sydney, Los Angeles etc. Ongoing since 2006, it now counts 27000 etched miniatures of hand painted colourfull flowers. The three meter circle of “The Otherside of Midnight” is composed of over 2,000 miniature butterflies and insects; each meticulously hand painted in bright fluorescent colors. The suspended installation, glows in the dark under UV light and becomes a vibrant poetic celebration of the life and nature.
Metaloviana celebrates its 35th anniversary
October 12, 2017
The three workers, Inauguration at Metaloviana: October 13th 2017
The metallurgy factory Metaloviana celebrated its 35th anniversary on the 13th of October. To honor Metaloviana’s employees, the artist Zadok Ben-David created three five meters high hand cut corten steel figures of workers.
For more information see the link: http://www.metaloviana.pt/
Sydney Sculpture Conference
November 02, 2017
Presented by Sculpture by the sea
Thursday 2th November 2017 at The Opera House Sydney harbour
Zadok Ben-David introduced his work ‘Sunny Moon’ exhibited at Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2017 together with a selection of his major international public commissions. For the occasion Sculpture by the Sea hosted a group of international and Australians artists who discussed the importance, impact, challenges and opportunities of sculpture in public spaces.
The new installation “People I saw but never met” at Shoshana Wayne Gallery 2017
October 18, 2017
The new installation “People I saw but never met” at Shoshana Wayne Gallery 2017
Shoshana Wayne Gallery will be showing the new installation “People I saw but never met” by Zadok Ben-David in Santa Monica, California
May 26, 2017
Shoshana Wayne Gallery will be showing the new installation “People I saw but never met” by Zadok Ben-David in Santa Monica, California from the 8th of April to May 27th 2017.
“Human Nature” Coming soon the new book by Zadok Ben-David
November 23, 2017
Coming soon the new book by Zadok Ben-David “Human Nature”
For more information and pre-order below:
https://circapress.com/…/zadok-ben-david-hu…/zadok-ben-david
BIG BOY by Zadok Ben-David at Sculpture by the sea 2017, Cottesloe, Perth Australia
March 02, 2018
BIG BOY by Zadok Ben-David at Sculpture by the sea 2017, Cottesloe, Perth Australia
http://sculpturebythesea.com/cottesloe/
The Daily Telegraph Sydney talk about Zadok Ben David and his new installation “People I saw But Never Met” Now showing at the Annandale Galleries in Sydney. 110 Trafalgar St, Annandale
October 25, 2016
The Daily Telegraph Sydney talk about Zadok Ben David and his new installation “People I saw But Never Met” Now showing at the Annandale Galleries in Sydney. 110 Trafalgar St, Annandale until November 26 2016.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/arts/zadok-bendavid
Sculpture by the sea 2016
October 19, 2016
The artist Zadok Ben-David is delighted to announce his participation as guest of honour for the 20th anniversary art festival SCULPTURE BY THE SEA in Bondi in Sydney.
The festival will be held from the 20 October – 6 November 2016.
http://sculpturebythesea.com/
For the occasion the Artist Zadok Ben-David will be taking part of the one day conference around the subject the ‘Future of Public Art in City Spaces’ at the opera House of Sydney on the 27th of October 2016.
“The people I saw but never met” at the Annandale Gallery Sydney
October 24, 2016
The Annandale Gallery in Sydney is pleased to announce the new major installation “The people I saw but never met” shown for the first time by the Artist Zadok Ben-David. The Installation count more than 2200 mini figures inspired by people the artist has crossed path while travelling around the world these past few years.
Exhibition dates: 25 October – 26 November
Opening: 26 October 6:30 – 8:30pm
http://www.annandalegalleries.com.au/
Solo exhibition in Uzbekistan
May 19, 2015
The Art Gallery of Uzbekistan is pleased to announce The Other Side of Midnight, a solo exhibition by Zadok Ben-David.
For his first solo exhibition in the country, Ben-David will present three of his most remarkable installations, The Other Side of Midnight, Blackfield, and Blackflowers, taking up the three main spaces of the museum, including the central hall and stairwell.
The show, that has been recently exhibited and has been up for for six months at the new National Museum of Kazakhstan in Astana, is opening at the Art Gallery of Uzbekistan on Tuesday, March 25 and will be running until May 20, 2015.
The exhibition had been made possible with the help and support of the Israeli Embassy in Uzbekistan.
KENPOKU ART FESTIVAL 2016
January 01, 2020
The prefecture of Iberaki in Japan is honored to announce the coming of the artist Zadok Ben-David during its annual festival KENPOKU ART FESTIVAL from the 17.09.2016 until the 20.11.2016. For the occasion Zadok Ben- David will be showing his most remarkable installation “Blackfield” with more than 27,000 miniature flowers. The world touring installation has been previously shown in Europe Australia Far East and United States.
Beyond Limits Sotheby’s at Chatsworth 2014
September 07, 2014
One more year Zadok’s artwork has been selected to be part of Beyond Limits Sotheby’s at Chatsworth, Derbyshire, UK. The piece Exotic Tree will be on display until 26th October.
Exotic Tree is part of the Innerscapes series which Ben-David has been creating over the last 6 years. The Innerscapes series plays upon the idea of worlds existing within a larger subject matter. In this piece one can see the arboreal world in which the Lilliputian figures inhabit. Whether the viewer construes them to be part of the tree and therefore existing symbiotically with it or whether the figures have created a separate world within the canopy it forces the viewer to address the issue of man and nature.
Sotheby’s Beyond Limits, a selling exhibition
08 September 2014 – 26 October 2014
Derbyshire, UK
Zadok Ben-David's sculptures part of the film Kingsman: The Secret Service
May 14, 2013
Zadok Ben-David's sculptures where showed in various scenes of the film Kingsman: The Secret Service in 2014. These artworks included Here and There(2012), The Landing(2012), Man of Flowers(2005), Take No Chance(2005), Tall(2005), High and Above(2006) and Sun Rise(2008).
Solo exhibition in Kazakhstan
September 15, 2014
The National Museum of Kazakhstan presents a solo exhibition showing the works of Zadok Ben-David in Central Asia for the first time. The exhibition consists of the three installations The Other Side of Midnight, Blackfield and Blackflowers, and the outdoor sculpture Smaller.
The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is the youngest and largest museum in Central Asia located in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan since 1997. The exhibition will be held in the Halls of Modern Art of the museum from September 26 to December 5, 2014.
National Museum of Kazakhstan
Independence Avenue, 54
Astana, Kazakhstan
Opening times: tuesday-sunday 10:30-18:00, except wednesdays 10:30-21:00
Masterpiece London 2013
October 15, 2013
Set in the spectacular South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Masterpiece London brings together collectors, exhibitors and curators from around the world for an unparalleled show of fine art, antiques and design from 27 June – 3 July 2013.
“Celine with Shadow” and “Wild Grow” were on display as part of The Masterpiece Sculpture Walk.
The Gottesman Etching center – new prints available Zadok
September 10, 2013
Zadok has recently spent some time preparing a series of new prints at Gottesman Etching Center based on the ideas behind his latest large installation The Other Side of Midnight. For more information please visit the Gottesman Etching Center website.
“Neuland” group exhibition in Germany
November 14, 2013
NEWLAND 12. 07. – 10. 08. 2013
Kunstverein Viernheim & Kontur. Kunstverein Stuttgart e.V. (ADKV)
Opening: Friday 12. July., 19 pm
Introdution: Dr. Otto Rothfuss, Kontur. Kunstverein Stuttgart
Discovering „NEWLAND“ is an everlasting human dream. Vision and imagination, the desire for freedom and the freedom of scope, dreams and utopia of another life are the forces driving man to break-up, to leave home and get exposed to unkown danger. Even unthinkable riscs cannot stop our love of adventure. No threat, no failure is big enough to destroy man’s pionieering spirit, to hold him back from expeditions. Once on his way, confidence grows with every challenge passed and what a redemption if the foreign shore appears. Euphoria and the fascination of strangeness go along with amazement, surprise and the memory of what we find familiar there as soon as we take the first steps in this wonderland. And slowly and irresistible a change goes on with us. We grow and with every mistake we do, with every knew insight we get we acquire new knowledge and new self-confidence. We learn to see the world with other eyes, from different angles and wonder about the metamorphosis that happens with us.
Artists: Ursula Bohren & Claurio Magoni, Zadok Ben-David, Werner Degreif, Klaudia Dietewich, Joachim Fleischer, Barbara Hindahl, Barbara Karsh-Chaïeb, Francisco Klinger Carvalho, Gudrun Knapp, Thomas Mulcaire, Andreas Opiolka, Platino, Margarete Rebmann, Brigitte Schawacke, Signe Theill, Margot Witte, Andrea Zaumseil, Helmut Anton Zirkelbach.
Artist Interview at Australian Art Collector magazine
November 06, 2013
Zadok Ben-David’s exhibition, The Other Side of Midnight, is the artist’s seventh solo show at Annandale Galleries. Art Collector interviews Ben-David about the direction of his latest work.
Hannah: The centerpiece of your exhibition is The Other Side of Midnight, a large-scale work made from hand-painted stainless steel illuminated by UV light, the installation of the work involved painting the interior of the gallery black. It is not unusual for you to create work on this scale, but the use of paint and UV light seems like a definitive shift, what brought upon this striking introduction of colour?
Zadok: It is true that this is the first large-scale installation being installed in a complete darkness. In the past, I worked with holograms and video installations that had been projected from floor and ceiling simultaneously, all required different preparations, but none had gone that far into total blackness.
The Other Side of Midnight deals with a theme of extreme, in order to maximise the effect I had to use glowing colours under UV lights in a complete darkness, any other colour on the walls except black might appears too bright.
H: In recent years the image of a human-butterfly creature has featured repeatedly in your work, given that in the past your iconography has related to a more clear-cut scientific source, where does this mystical hybrid find its origins?
Z: It is the third decade that the subject matter of my works concentrates around the theme of human nature, (with the) human figure as part of our natural environment. Surrounded by natural species, like animal, plants or even invisible natural forces (like gravity and light, explored in the installationEvolution and Theory), all used as metaphorical images and tools to human behaviour.
In the 1980s, the sources of the metaphors in my works came from classic old fables where the animals behaved like human beings. In the 1990s it wasMagical Reality, involving hidden elements, anti-gravity and illusion.
In the past decade the work I am more concentrating on visible nature. Like trees made of human figures, or vice versa, human figures inspired by trees and vegetation. A similar kind of hybrid is being expressed now via combination of human and insects.
H: You have been quoted as saying you are interested in ideas around beauty and repulsion. In The Other Side of Midnight the two sides of a world (or moon) are presented, one side is tessellated with a brilliant and colourful collection of human-butterflies and the other a mass of beetles and cockroaches lit in a solid, luminescent blue. Delicate and lace-like in appearance, these two worlds appear to coexist on a knife’s edge, what inspired this pairing?
Z: The Other Side of Midnight is a direct development from the Blackfield<span”>installation with 20,000 miniature flowers.
Blackfield is more of psychological installation, very moody, developing and changing while you walk along. It has also black and colour, symbolising state of mind, leaving a choice by showing both side of the coins.
The Other Side of Midnight is similar with its back and front presentation. Unlike Blackfield with its dark front, in this new installation the frontal side appears with an ultimate beauty, which immediately might turn into a nightmarish experience, hence the title of the piece.
We tend to marvel at the beauty of the butterflies wings ignoring the insects in the middle, while being repelled when the insects appear on their own, since they are lacking of visual appeal, here we have an attraction at first, then repulsion. Seeing the insects being presented in such a glorious glow make us think the opposite, a kind of curious and unexpected attraction to the ugliness.
H: Historically your freestanding sculptures have often involved a strong sense of grounding. Many have heavily foreshortened shadows rendered in stainless steel connecting them permanently to the earth/ground/plinth that they rest upon. The Other Side of Midnight moves away from this grounding to an ethereal, suspended double-sided tondo. The viewer is naturally drawn to comparisons with the moon and a mandala, is it an example of the magical or mystical becoming a stronger influence on your work?
Z: My work is constantly moving from the spiritual and mystical to down to earth presentations. From floating to reflection. The total air space always attracted me more than the floor space, trying to ignore the restrictions given by gravity, wishing to retain the freedom that a painter has when using the canvas while confronting a real space.
The free-standing works are usually a study for the large installation, they are frontal like drawings on papers. Yet, the images stand on their own … (In The Other Side of Midnight) these two circles differ radically and symbolically from each other, just like the distance from air and ground, close, yet too far.
Text taken from Art Collector by Hannah McKissock-Davis
‘The Other Side of Midnight’ opening at Annandale Galleries
January 01, 2020
Opening night of Zadok’s exhibition ‘The Other Side of Midnight’ at Annandale Galleries 3rd April 2013.
Zadok writes for Sotheby’s blog
July 25, 2013
Early this year, Sotheby’s hosted its first outdoor selling exhibition in Asia, exhibiting 17 of Ben-David’s sculpture against the magnificent backdrop of the Singapore Botanic Gardens. The get to know the artist better, Sotheby’s invited Ben-David to write a series of entries for Sotheby’s blog during the show, including anecdotes about previous exhibition as well as the preparation for the Singapore show. To read his words follow the link.
First review of ‘The Other Side of Midnight’
July 11, 2013
We have been receiving our first reviews from the exhibition at Shoshana Wayne Gallery in L.A. where the exhibition is being showed for the first time. Edward Goldman, art critic, talked in his KCRW podcast about his experience of seeing the installation for the first time: “The whole experience makes you feel a bit like you’re at a theatrical performance. Act one reveals a beautiful world full of colour and promise, only to be followed by act two with its dramatic and even tragic undertones, reminding us of our own fears and mortality“. Read the whole article here.
Photo competition of Zadok’s sculptures in Singapore
January 21, 2013
Capture. Create. Win. is a photo competition organised by the Embassy of Israel in Singapore and Sotheby’s in relation to Zadok Ben-David exhibition at the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Photographers are encouraged and challenged to capture the Human Nature essence of Zadok’s sculptures in the exotic landscape. If you live in Singapore and are passionate about both Nature and photography this competition is for you. Please see more information here.
Honorary dinner in Singapore
June 17, 2014
As a tribute to the well-received exhibition Zadok has recently been invited to an honorary dinner in Singapore. However, due to heavy fog the artist was stranded in Antarctica where he was on a holiday break and he unfortunately missed the dinner. For the occasion his studio manager Mathilda Holmqvist represented him but his presence was still present in form of a video with Zadok giving speech from an iceberg in Antarctica. It was quite an adventure. If you want to know the whole story please take a look on the video here.
Zadok Ben-David’s exhibition at the Singapore Botanic Gardens held by Sotheby’s has been extended until February 15th.
Charity Auctions (Israel and London)
June 26, 2013
The sculpture Endless Column has recently been auctioned by British Friends of The Art Museum of Israel (BFAMI) in London as well by MIFALOT: Sport for Education, Development and Peace in Israel. Also recently another piece on auction by Little Emperors & Co was Three Flowers. All the charity auctions raised funds successfully and on his engagement with charity, Zadok would like to thank all the people who support and participate in these events and causes.
‘The Other Side of Midnight’ at Shoshana Wayne Gallery
January 01, 2020
Zadok Ben-David will be showing all new artwork at Shoshana Wayne Gallery from the January 12th until February 16th.
Following his research of Victorian botanical imagery Zadok continues to explore the relationship between man and nature.
The installation contains more than 2,000 hand painted figures with colourful butterflies wings “The butterflies series is the last link in the chain of the relationship between man and nature, a theme that is being explored throughout my work during the past two decades.
‘The other side of Midnight’ is a three meter circle with two faces, front and back. The installation explores our perception of beauty and repulsion via the nature that surrounding us”, explains Zadok.
Upcoming exhibition at Shoshana Wayne Gallery
January 18, 2013
Zadok Ben-David’s upcoming exhibition at Shoshana Wayne Gallery will open in January 2013. In this exhibition the sculptor will show new works, a collection of sculptures and an installation, questioning the perception of beauty embodied as a dichotomy. In the installation you will see on one side colourfully detailed butterflies, hand painted, and on the other side, insects, cockroaches and beetles rendered in one colour. The 3m large circular installation with more than 2,000 miniature butterflies will be transformed by hanging indoor in a dark room under UV light. Ben-David’s new collection of aluminium sculptures has developed from his previous exhibition in Singapore; true to himself the artist keeps pushing his work and finding new ways to engage with his practice.
'Prometheus’ is released on DVD
October 09, 2013
We are proud to announce that Ben-David’s sculptures Zig Zag Man, Thinking Softly and On Guardhas starred in Ridley Scott’ movie “Prometheus” with Michel Fassbender and Charlize Theron among others. At the movie Sir Peter Weyland is not just an honorable scientist, but also a distinguish art collector. The movie is available for sale from all usual retailers.
All rights belong to their owners. Images used here for review purposes only.
Outdoor exhibition at Singapore Botanical Gardens, by Sothebys
October 22, 2012
Sotheby’s will host its first selling exhibition of outdoor sculpture in Asia with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board and the National Parks Board presenting 17 works by award-winning international sculptor Zadok Ben-David against the magnificent backdrop of the Singapore Botanic Gardens from 23 October2012 to 31 January 2013.
For the exhibition at Singapore Botanic Gardens this autumn, Ben-David has created 12 new works, drawn from themes from some of his most powerful sculpture series. Figures, trees and butterflies are entwined in works which challenge our perceptions of reality. Each is a unique creation made of Corten (or “weathering”) steel. When exposed to the elements, the steel rusts, forming as it does so, a constantly regenerating protective coating. In keeping with the subject matter of Zadok Ben-David’s work, this continuous cycle evolves before our eyes, mirroring the changing seasons of nature.
Speaking about the forthcoming exhibition, Zadok Ben-David said: “This is the first time I have created such a large and concentrated installation in one open public location. The works on show span several years, but I have made 12 of the 16 sculptures in the last few months. It is a totally new departure to be able to show my work in a variety of landscapes – in water and green spaces – and to see them working together.”
The exhibition is partly sponsored by Bank Sarasin, and will be free and open to the public.
23 October 2012 – 31 January 2013
Singapore Botanic gardens
Open to the public, Mon – Sun: 05:00-00:00
For more information www.sothebys.com
'Simple Lines’ exhibition at the Mysteskyi Arsenal
September 13, 2012
Zadok Ben-David has been the guest of honour at the Mysteskyi Arsenal’s Great Sculpture Salon, opening in Kiev on September 12th. Ben-David will be showing three installations: Evolution and Theory, Blackfield and, for the first time, his latest new installation Blackflowers. Blackflowersconsists of fifty-two sculptures and is a body of work born from his acclaimed worldwide touring installation Blackfield.
‘Perhaps’ cutting ribbon ceremony
April 09, 2012
The sculpture Perhaps represents Zadok Ben-David’s latest development of work dealing with human nature. The figure, a three-dimensional silhouette, comprised of hundreds of small hand-cut steel figures reflects our human interconnectedness. Perhaps it is installed at County Operations Center, San Diego.
123 ‘Raw + Material = Art’ book launch party
April 07, 2012
Raw + Material = Art (Thames & Hudson, Author Tristan Manco) features selected work of Zadok Ben-David and was released in April 2012. In the book you will find how less considered materials by modern global economy could be used to create unique art pieces. Tristan Manco reports new philosophies and techniques which support artwork from 38 selected artists.
‘Blackfield’ at Artclub 1563, Korea
February 06, 2012
Blackfield, a worldwide touring exhibition by Zadok Ben-David has been acclaimed by critics all over the world, is here presented at Artclub 1563, in Korea until February 2012. Blackfield is composed by thousands of tiny detailed sculptured flowers. They together represent a metaphor for human emotions with their black and colourful state on each side.out this item. What's it about and what makes it interesting? Give people the info they need to go ahead and take the action you want.
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‘Do Not Destroy’ opening at Contemporary Jewish Museum
February 12, 2012
Trees are a meaningful symbol in Jewish Culture. In Do Not Destroy: Trees, Art, and Jewish Thought you are invited to explore the concept of trees through the contemporary artists refreshing view points, as well as finding a new understanding of their role in Jewish tradition. You might find how global environmental concerns have begun to impact contemporary Jewish practice.
The Magic Box opening exhibition
September 08, 2011
The Magic Box in Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal, is Zadok Ben-David first architectural commission. He was invited to design a public gallery and the result is a floating space. Ben-David held the first exhibition of the pavilion showing two video installations: The Train Ride and The Wrong Paper from The Story I’m about to Tell You…