Halil Balabin and Merav Kamel

Merav Kamel (born in 1988, Israel) and Halil Balabin (born in 1987, Israel) live and work in Tel Aviv. They received their BFA from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem (Kamel in 2012, Balabin in 2014).

They have been working together since 2012. Their interdisciplinary work shifts among different techniques and practices, from hand-sewing hybrid figures, to drawing, painting, sculpture and site-specific installations. Their research investigates human society and modern culture through a provocative yet ironic practice – at times surrealistic and folkloristic, but also critical and serious – that focuses on gender issues, sexuality, power and control, and represents fears, weaknesses and desires of our contemporaneity.

Their work has been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions, including: Buchum Museum, Germany; Israel Museum, Jerusalem; Tel Aviv Museum; Bat Yam Museum; Herzliya Museum; Brno house of art, Czech; Pram Gallery, Prague; PM gallery, Dusseldorf; Circle 1 Gallery, Berlin; Untitled art fair, Miami; Artport, Tel Aviv; Dada Museum, Ein Hod; Ha’Kibbutz Gallery, Tel Aviv; Givon Gallery, Tel Aviv; Basis Gallery, Herzliya; Inga Gallery, Tel aviv; among many other venues. 

Their work is included in many public and private collections such as the Tel Aviv Museum of Art; the Israel Museum, Jerusalem; Philara collection; Carry and Dan Bronner collection; Discount Bank collection; Roni and Allen Baharaff collection; Shoken collection; Ann and Ari Rosenblatt collection; Dubi Shiff collection and other private ones.

Both were awarded from Beatrice S. Kolliner Award for a Young Israeli Artist, Israel Museum, Israel Ministry of Culture, Young Artist Award (Kamel in 2018, Balabin on 2016); Artis Grant for Exceptional Work in Uncertain Times; “Elhanani” Prize from Bezalel Academy of Art; America-Israel cultural Foundation award for extraordinary artistic achievement.