PRELUDE Sculpture

biography ​ The sculptures of Itzik Benshalom reflect passion for life and relationships. Through this overview of the last 4 decades of the artist's work, a sense of discovery of the human experience becomes apparent. Varieties of connections made by the abstracted figures are shown through the use of interlocking soft and flowing forms juxtaposed with angular lines. How the figures are positioned in relation to each other helps to define the interaction. In some, a clear relationship is explored while others remain more mysterious. About his work Benshalom states, "My work flows, as life flows. I tell people not to think about my work. If they love it, just love it. That's what I do." ​ Born in Hadera, Israel in 1945, Benshalom became a merchant marine at the age of fifteen. This formative experience influenced his work as he traveled the world several times soaking in new images and textures. Upon completing his military service to the Israeli Navy, Benshalom knew that he wanted to work with metal-a material that had always fascinated him. In 1967, he and his brother-in-law set up a foundry specializing in the lost wax method of casting sculpture. For years he worked with other artists from Israel and from all over the world, helping them to realize their concepts. Benshalom states that he can't say he even thought about it, but one day he began to work on an idea for his own sculpture . From then on he stopped doing other artist's work and began his own journey as a sculptor. Died in 18/3/2018 ​ Benshalom was represented by Christy contemporary art - London & Nahan Galleries New York & New Orlins. ​ Benshalom’s sculptures are in private, public, and corporate collections throughout the world including Israel, Japan, England, and the United States. Museum Collections: Boca Raton Museum of Art- FL Ground for Sculpture Museum- Hamilton, N.J Flint Institute of Art- MIC Museum of Fine Art- Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada