Bio

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.

World Wide Exhibitions

The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art
Ha’Kibbutz Gallery, Tel Aviv

Gallery Exhibitions

David Adika, Halil Balabin & Merav Kamel, Cyrus Kabiru, Wycliffe Mundopa, Jacob Mishori, Gresham Tapiwa Nyaude, Ruth Patir, Mary Sibande, Christopher Udemezue and Anna Yam.

Art fairs

2023
February 8 – 12, 2023

Publications

Coming up soon

Stories

NEWSLETTER

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CREDITS

Design by The-Studio

Code By Haker Design

Artwork Inquire

Poet, 2023, wood, 16x75x5cm

Udder Dog, 2023, bronze, 54x41x21 cm

Lifeguard, 2023, fabric, 17x12x32 cm

Cat, 2023, fabric, epoxy clay, 32x19x18 cm

Lot's Wife, 2023, fabric, epoxy clay, 40x53x29 cm

Painter and His Model, 2019, Fabric, Wood, 38x55x70 cm

Saddam, 2018, Fabric, 60x35x38 cm

Mohsen, 2022, Fabric and Resin, 55x30x24 cm

Blossom, 2022, Fabric, Wood, Metal, 44x30x27 cm

Seance, 2022, fabric, photo, metal, 35x52x27 cm

Rib Vest, 2020, swiss pine wood, 78x38x10 cm

Dough Man, 2020, linden wood, 33x19x19 cm

Nectar, 2019, fabric, 37x35x80 cm

A Two Headed Sculptor, 2021, wood, fabric, 100x40x15 cm

Night Blooming, 2022, Fabric, 62x25x10 cm

Flash Back, 2017, fabric, 30x30x15 cm

Decoration Board, 2017, fabric, 50x40x15 cm

Hangover, 2017, fabric, 50x40x10 cm

Orange Udder Dog, 2020, Linden Wood, Fabric, 55x55x29 cm

Siesta, 2017, Fabric, Metal, Cardboard, Acrilic, 40x45x22 cm

The Blind Prince, 2018, Fabric, 36x50x15 cm

Virginia Woolf, 2017, Fabric, Teeth, 20x40x10 cm

Meditation, 2018, Fabric, 63x17x32 cm

The Hot Dog Man and Distance Thief, 2020, Engraving in aquarelle on paper, 10.62x2.28 cm. Photo by Lena Gomon

The Hot Dog Man and Distance Thief, 2020, Engraving in aquarelle on paper, 10.62x2.28 cm. Photo by Lena Gomon

The Hot Dog Man and Distance Thief, 2020, Engraving in aquarelle on paper, 10.62x2.28 cm. Photo by Lena Gomon

The Hot Dog Man and Distance Thief, 2020, Engraving in aquarelle on paper, 10.62x2.28 cm. Photo by Lena Gomon

Sabzi, 2023, engraving in aquarelle on paper, 380x228 cm

Bauohnabel, 2018, Engraving in aquarelle and ink on paper, 513x231 cm

Anxious Friend, 2018, Engraving and mixed media on paper, 56x75cm

Untitled (detail), 2018, Engraving in aquarelle and ink on heavy paper, 114x154 cm

Untitled, 2018, Engraving in aquarelle and ink on heavy paper, 57x77 cm

Maalal (detail), 2016, Oil pastel and ink on paper, 80x110 cm

Maalal (detail), 2016, Oil pastel and ink on paper, 80x110 cm

Noun, 2018, Oil on paper, 120x83 cm

Contact

Visit

Sunday

Monday

Tue – Thu

Friday

Saturday

Closed

By appointment only

11:00 – 16:00

11:00 – 14:00

Closed