Interview with ZaHaVa
Zahava, having lived in various countries and cultures, your art conveys a deep sense of universality and unity. How has your experience of immigration and cultural transition influenced the way you approach your work, particularly the themes of identity, unity, and social justice?
Being a descendent of generations of immigrants and refugees and having lived in four different countries across three continents, I’ve experienced firsthand how, despite cultural differences commonalities emerge when we look beyond surface distinctions. My journey as an immigrant has not only broadened my worldview but has also instilled in me a profound appreciation for the diverse expressions of humanity. Through this lens, I’ve come to see the universal themes of joy, survival, and hope that unite us all. This perspective has shaped my work throughout my career.
Each culture I’ve encountered has its own traditions, languages, and belief systems, yet I’ve come to recognize these differences as facets of a shared human experience. In my art, I aim to honor this unity by inviting viewers to look beyond visible markers of identity—such as race and gender—to see deeper and recognize the vibrational energy that connects us all. My projects I Am So Many and InBodied Light embody this vision through faceless, ageless, and genderless beings. These sculptures are intentionally neutral, designed to transcend physical characteristics and remind us that what unites us is far more substantial than what divides us.
For me, the act of creating art is a form of social justice. I believe in using my work to raise awareness and spark conversations about unity and inclusion. My art invites viewers to confront societal divisions and shift their perspectives. I hope to inspire dialogue about identity, encouraging people to not only celebrate our differences, but also recognize our shared essence.
My journey as an immigrant has reinforced my belief that unity doesn’t require uniformity. True unity is found in the acceptance and celebration of our unique paths and our collective humanity.
Your latest series, “InBodied Light,” centers around the concept of Light and Vibrational Energy to depict unity beyond human-defined labels. Could you share the artistic and spiritual journey that led you to develop this idea and how it evolved from your previous works?
InBodied Light emerged from my lifelong exploration of human connection and spiritual depth. My earlier works, which focused on belonging, struggle, and resilience, laid the foundation for this series. As an immigrant and global citizen, I’ve always been fascinated by the layers that define us, and over time, my focus has shifted to the universal essence that connects us all.
The concept of Light and Vibrational Energy grew from this desire and my lifelong spiritual journey. To me, light symbolizes a pure, unifying force—one that transcends gender and race. I created figures that go beyond human-defined labels, expressing the energy we all carry within us. These sculptures, which I call Light Beings, began appearing in my dreams in 2017/2018, represent beings of pure energy, inviting viewers to see themselves and others through the lens of shared vibrational essence. I strip away societal markers—those labels we often use to categorize others—and offer a space for deeper connection with the essence of "being."
InBodied Light is both a continuation and evolution of my previous work, which explored themes of migration, survival, and human struggle. Using my unique technique and style with a new material I ask a larger question: Can we see each other for the energy and light we share as one race, beyond labels and borders?
As an artist and spiritual activist, you’ve highlighted themes of social justice, human rights, and unity. How do you balance the roles of artist and activist? Do you ever find these roles in conflict, or do they complement each other in your creative process?
For me, the roles of artist and activist are inseparable. Art is my primary language, but my commitment to social justice, human rights, and unity drives my creative work. I view art as a powerful tool for activism—able to open hearts and minds in ways words alone cannot. My sculptures aim to create spaces where viewers can reflect, question cultural norms, and embrace a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.
In my creative process, I prioritize both form and message. My work InBodied Light challenges societal divisions of race and gender, inviting people to see one another through a lens of unity and interconnected energy. For me, beauty and impact go hand in hand. Beauty captures the viewer's attention, allowing them to connect with the message. My dedication to social justice drives me to experiment with new forms, materials, and ideas that resonate on both an aesthetic and emotional level.
The core of my work is authenticity—staying true to myself and my values. I create with a deep sense of responsibility, believing that when art reflects these principles, it has the power to inspire others to examine their own roles in promoting humanity and justice.
“InBodied Light” removes traditional human markers, such as faces or gender, yet embodies a profound presence. How do you envision viewers connecting with or interpreting these faceless figures, and what dialogues or internal reflections do you hope to inspire in them?
In InBodied Light, I remove traditional markers like faces, race, and gender to invite viewers into a more universal form of connection. These faceless "Light Beings", Messengers of Light, transcend the external attributes that often define and divide us, embodying an energy that speaks to our shared human essence. Without identifiable features, the sculptures encourage viewers to look beyond physical differences and engage with themselves and with one another on a deeper, more essential level.
My goal is to prompt reflection on how we perceive others and challenge the labels that shape our understanding of identity and belonging. What if we saw each other not through societal filters, but for our energy and spirit? Can we relate, connect, without the divisions imposed by culture?
InBodied Light creates a space for internal dialogue, where viewers can pause, shift perspectives, and recognize that beneath appearances we are all made of the same essential energetic light. This reflection, I believe, is the first step toward greater acceptance, unity, and global understanding.
Your work is widely exhibited and collected across continents, each with its own cultural lens. How do you think your art resonates differently in varied cultural contexts, and what unique responses or interpretations have surprised you during international exhibitions?
Exhibiting InBodied Light across diverse cultural contexts has shown me how art transcends language and cultural barriers. Each audience brings its own history, beliefs, and perspectives, shaping their interpretation of the sculptures. In some regions, the concept of light and energy resonates as spiritual symbolism, while in others, the faceless figures prompt reflections on identity and social justice.
One surprising response came during an exhibition in Asia, where a viewer saw the "Light Beings" as ancestral spirits, guardians of wisdom beyond the physical realm. This interpretation added depth to the work’s universal theme of energy. Similarly, in Latin America, viewers connected the sculptures to resilience and survival, sharing personal stories of family and migration.
These varied responses highlight the richness that different cultural lenses bring to my art. The meaning of each sculpture evolves as it meets new audiences, and I’m continually inspired by how universal themes like unity, identity, and light take on unique significance in different cultural contexts. This exchange of perspectives is one of the most rewarding aspects of sharing my work globally.
You describe the surfaces of your sculptures as ‘highly texturized’ to engage with light in a way that engulfs both sculpture and viewer. Could you talk about the technical aspects of creating this interaction and the role of light as a living element within your pieces?
The textured surfaces of my sculptures are intentionally designed to interact dynamically with light, transforming each piece into a living presence. I craft my originals in clay using my hands, wooden sticks, and knives, deliberately leaving tool marks. When cast in resin, these tool marks create the textures that capture and diffuse light, creating a multi-dimensional effect. Each layer refracts light uniquely, producing shifting colors and shadows that change with the viewer's perspective, much like the facets of a diamond.
Light is integral to this work and its message. The interaction between light and texture creates a vibrancy that mirrors the ever-changing energy connecting us all. This approach invites viewers into a shared, reflective experience, encouraging them to see the sculptures—and themselves—as part of a larger, interconnected flow of energy. Light reflects the vibrational essence that unites us, a living force within each piece and within each living thing.
Reflecting on over 30 years in your career, how has your artistic vision evolved? Are there themes or materials from your early career that still influence you today, or have you made a conscious departure toward new artistic horizons?
Over more than 30 years, my artistic vision has deepened and evolved, yet certain core themes remain steadfast: identity, resilience, and human connection. From the beginning, I’ve been drawn to exploring the complexities of identity and belonging. In my early work, I used grounded materials like clay and stone, which connected me to the earth and symbolized the rooted aspects of identity. These materials reflected my understanding of permanence and tradition.
As my journey progressed, I felt a pull toward lighter, more translucent materials like resin. This shift reflects an evolution in my focus—from the physicality of identity to the vibrational, unseen connections between us. Resin, with its ability to capture and diffuse light, aligns perfectly with my current exploration of energy and unity, as seen in pieces like InBodied Light. This transition is not just a change in material but a deepening of my understanding of what identity means in an interconnected world—one where energy and invisible bonds transcend physical boundaries.
While my materials have changed and my style and techniques have evolved my work continues to be unmistakably my own. Above all, the underlying intention remains: to explore and honor the shared human experience. Today, I am more committed than ever to creating work that transcends boundaries and invites viewers into a space of reflection and unity.
My artistic journey has been intertwined with my personal growth, expanding my spiritual, intellectual, and artistic horizons—all while remaining grounded in the desire to connect, uplift, and inspire through art.
As an artist deeply connected to themes of spirituality and interconnectedness, how do you see your art contributing to a broader global conversation about humanity’s shared essence and the pressing social and environmental issues of our time?
I view my art as a way to engage in the global dialogue about our shared humanity and the urgent social and environmental issues confronting us today. Through my sculptures, I aim to create works that transcend labels such as race and gender—reminding viewers of the deep interconnectedness that unites us all. In a world often divided by these distinctions, my art seeks to bridge those divides, inviting people to see themselves in others and recognize the unity that binds us.
Works like InBodied Light are embodiments of this intention, featuring faceless, genderless figures made of light and energy. These figures symbolize the universal, vibrational essence we all carry within us, encouraging viewers to step beyond individual identity and connect with a broader, more inclusive perspective. In doing so, my work fosters empathy and encourages collective responsibility. I hope that, through these pieces, viewers are not only reminded of their bond with one another but also their responsibility toward the planet.
In this sense, my art serves as both a reflection and a call to action. It urges us to address pressing issues—be it social justice, human rights, or environmental sustainability—from a place of unity and compassion. When we can see ourselves as part of a greater whole, we can collectively inspire more compassionate, collaborative solutions to the challenges we face together.
