Itzik Ben Shalom On Sale

Itzik Benshalom, the man and the artist, is larger than life, an artistic Israeli with a remarkably gentle disposition. Born in Hadera, Israel, in 1945, Benshalom has had no formal art training, but has worked closely with many artists since 1967 when he set up a foundry specializing in the 4000 year old 'Lost Wax' method of casting sculpture. Ben Shalom's sculpture refers to human emotion. Created in pairs, male and female, the sculptures are often moveable pieces. The juxtaposition expresses the essence of Ben Shalom's statement and his concern with human interaction. He says of his work, "The 20th-century artist has to work primarily within the psyche of alienation. The overlay of modern existence which seems to be communicated more by electronic media than anything else, denies basic human emotions love, anger, understanding, all are reduced to cipher. I see my work as an attempt to remind people of a more primal form of humanism. In a sense, I see a need to redefine emotion". Benshalom was recently selected from among 2000 sculptors and artists, to create a five meter sculpture, Lovers, for the lobby of the new Industry House of Israel in Tel Aviv. Another of his monumental works will provide the centre point of the plaza at the University Business Park in Austin, Texas. His works are to be found in museums and public places as well as corporate and private collections throughout Europe, Israel and North America. Benshalom and his wife Hannas, also an artist in lacework, as well as a designer of fine jewelry, live with their three children in Hadera, Israel.

Styling your home with vintage, new and antique sculptures means adding a touch that can meaningfully transform the space. By introducing a sculptural work as a decorative finish to any interior, you’re making a statement, whether you tend toward the dramatic or prefer to keep things casual with modest, understated art.

A single, one-of-a-kind three-dimensional figurative sculpture mounted on your dining room wall is a guaranteed conversation piece, while a trio of abstract works arranged on your living room bookshelves can add spontaneity to the collection of first-edition novels or artist monographs you’re displaying as well as draw attention to them. Figurative sculptures are representational works that portray a specific person, animal or object. And while decorating with busts, which are sculpted or cast figurative works, hasn’t exactly topped the list of design trends every year, busts are back. According to designer Timothy Corrigan, “They give humanity in a way that a more abstract sculpture can’t give.” Abstract sculptures, on the other hand, are not meant to show something specific. Instead, they invoke a mood or scene without directly stating what they are portraying.

Busts made of stone or metal may not seem like a good fit for your existing decor. Fortunately, there are many ways for a seemingly incongruous piece to fit in with the rest of your room’s theme. You can embrace a dramatic piece by making it the focal point of the room, or you can choose to incorporate several elements made out of the same material to create harmony in your space. If an antique or more dramatic piece doesn’t feel like you, why not opt for works comprising plastic, fiberglass or other more modern materials?

When incorporating sculpture into the design of your home — be it the playful work of auction hero and multimedia visionary KAWS, contemporary fiber art from Connecticut dealer browngrotta arts or still-life sculpture on a budget — consider proper lighting, which can bring out the distinctive aspects of your piece that deserve attention. And make sure you know how the size and form of the sculpture will affect your space in whole. If you choose a sculpture with dramatic design elements, such as sharp angles or bright colors, for example, try to better integrate this new addition by echoing those elements in the rest of your room’s design.

Get started on decorating with sculpture now — find figurative sculptures, animal sculptures and more on 1stDibs today.