Zahava Sherez

Artist Statement

Born to a historically persecuted people, I experienced immigrations, wars, oppression, loss, and lived in four countries. By the time I was 10 I spoke and/or heard people around me speak: Russian, Spanish, Quichua, Yiddish, Arabic, and Hebrew. The many cultures I was exposed to showed me the magnificent differences between them and taught me how profoundly alike we are. These experiences and the lessons learned became my muse and inspiration.

I was trained as a figurative/realistic sculptor.

In 1993 I created a bronze sculpture called “Flower Arrangement” – www.zahavasherez.com/flower-arrangement/ - (from the series: “I Am So Many”) - a divine arrangement of humans in all our glory. This sculpture was the beginning of a long journey using my art to raise consciousness about ‘the other’, the immigrant, and the refugee.

Since 2017 I have been working on the series “InBodied Light”. When completed, by 2022, it will include a large body of work of sculptures.

With this series I have moved from ‘the other’ to bringing awareness to equity, equality, and justice for all.

Here I am exploring with light and materials our interconnectedness as human beings focusing on impartiality and social justice. These beings are devoid of any identifying human features to avoid the labels imposed on us creating sub-groups that perpetuate divisions, oppression, violence, and disrespect. I use light as a focal element to emphasize the energy within and around that engulfs us as one.

It is on these truths that I focus in my art.

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