ABOUT
BIO
Niv Shafran (b.1986, Petach-Tikva, Israel) is a sculptor and digital artist, his works vary in scale from large public art to wearable jewelry, crafted in his studio in Florentine, Tel Aviv.
An Architecture graduate from Tel Aviv University (2014), he veered into a career as a 3D animator with exclusive architect clients and product manufacturers. Meanwhile delving into physical art and abstract renders as an outlet from the pixel-perfection and color correction. Consequently, he was introduced to metal fabrication while working on Midburn art installations. Niv constantly searches for new methods to manipulate matter, utilizing traditional fabrication practices and the latest digital design tools.
He has installed large-scale sculptures in the public domain at the Herzliya airport (2019) and Midreshet Ben Gurion (c. hu:pu crew, 2017).
Niv has exhibited art installations at the Municipal Art Gallery, Rishon Le-zion (2023),
Jerusalem Light Festival (2019) and Midburn (2017, 2021).
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work explores the essence of materials, a constant search for methods of encapsulating motion in static three-dimensional objects.
Architecture studies have served as a bedrock for design intuition and engineering solving, alongside autodidactic learning of a multitude of 3D software. I translate the digital world to raw materiality. Transitioning from precise laser-cut fabrications to an intuitive synchronized dance with the material.
I constantly investigate the differentiation of how 3D objects are portrayed on a computer screen compared to our spital experience in actual physical space.
I experiment with bringing forth a raw portrayal in the materials I use, by testing the wide array of manipulations, finishes, and patinas achievable.
An avid urban gardener, I am fascinated by the small details in flowers and leaves that accumulate to produce such a soothing environment. In 2020 I started producing metal flowers, I meditatively imprinted the natural textures and flow of the delicate organic material in the different metals. Recently this has intertwined with the contemporary Israeli existence by using Kasam rockets as raw materials.
CV
Born in Israel, 1986,
Lives and Works in Tel Aviv
EDUCATION
2009-2014 B.Arch, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
PUBLIC ART
2019 Modi Alon monument - Herzelia airport, Israel
2017 hu:pu - Midreshet Ben Gurion, Israel
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Spring Exhibitions - The Municipal Art Gallery Rishon Lezion, Israel. Curators: Efi Gen & Keren Weisshaus
2021 Midburn, Israel. Curator: Efrat Fishbein.
2019 Jerusalem Light Festival, Israel. Curators: Merav Eitan & Gaston Zahr
2017 Midburn, Israel. Curator: Ethan Gusto Bello
