Itzik Ben Shalom

Born in Hadera, Israel in 1945, Benshalom embarked on a career as a merchant marine at the tender age of fifteen. This pivotal chapter in his life profoundly shaped his artistic vision, as he traversed the globe multiple times, absorbing novel sights and textures. Following his service in the Israeli Navy, Benshalom gravitated towards his lifelong fascination with metal, determining to explore its creative possibilities.

In 1967, alongside his brother-in-law, he established a foundry specializing in the intricate lost wax method of sculptural casting. Collaborating with artists from diverse backgrounds, both within Israel and internationally, Benshalom assisted them in bringing their artistic visions to life. However, an unforeseen shift occurred when he spontaneously embarked on crafting his own sculpture, marking the beginning of his personal journey as a sculptor.

Benshalom's artistic legacy endured until his passing on March 18, 2018. He was affiliated with esteemed galleries such as Christy Contemporary Art in London and Nahan Galleries in New York and New Orleans.

His sculptures adorn private, public, and corporate collections worldwide, spanning countries such as Israel, Japan, England, and the United States. Additionally, several prestigious museums house his works, including the Boca Raton Museum of Art in Florida, Grounds for Sculpture Museum in Hamilton, New Jersey, the Flint Institute of Art in Michigan, and the Museum of Fine Art in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada.