Ilana Aviv

Sculptural reliefs inspired by the desert, the sea, and the hidden human core.
I was born in Tel Aviv in 1948. I am a sculptress specializing in outdoor sculptures and stone-like sculptural reliefs. My work is often inspired by the raw beauty of desert landscapes and the unique sandstones found along the shoreline. At the same time, sharp, engineered lines also emerge in my pieces — a dialogue between nature’s chaos and human order.

At the heart of my art lies the contrast between the tough, rigid surface and the soft, fragile “interior.” Much of my work explores the mystery of what lies beneath — emotions, memories, and inner worlds that are only partially revealed.

I opened my sculpture studio in 1987, originally working with ceramic. In 1995, I began developing a new technique based on sand casting, which dramatically expanded my creative possibilities.

Since then, I have worked without limitations of size or weight, thanks to a unique material I developed: a smart, lightweight concrete that allows for large-scale, complex works to be displayed even on plaster walls.