Zigi Ben-Haim

Untitled, 1991

1991

Zigi Ben-Haim (born 1945 in Baghdad, Iraq) is an American-Israeli painter and sculptor renowned for his innovative use of materials and exploration of cultural identity. After fleeing Iraq with his family at the age of five, Ben-Haim settled in Israel, where he spent his formative years in Tel Aviv. He pursued his art education at the Avni Institute of Fine Arts from 1966 to 1970. In the early 1970s, he moved to the United States, studying at the California College of Arts & Crafts and later earning an M.F.A. from San Francisco. Incorporating unconventional materials such as aluminum, wire mesh, burlap, and newsprint. His art delves into themes of nature, urban life, and the interplay between personal and collective experiences. Notable public installations include "Treasure the Green," a sculpture emphasizing the importance of nature, installed in SoHo, New York City. Throughout his career, Ben-Haim has received several accolades, including multiple grants from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation. His works are part of esteemed collections worldwide, such as the Guggenheim Museum, the Jewish Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, the Israel Museum, and the Tel Aviv Museum. ​ Schmalfuss Gallery Currently, Zigi Ben-Haim resides and works in SoHo, New York City, continuing to create art that bridges cultural narratives and material exploration. ​