Oren Eliav studied at the School of Art, Cooper Union, New York (2003); he was awarded a BFA with honors from the Department of Art, Bezalel) Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem (2004), and an MFA from Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Tel Aviv (2009).

Eliavis intrigued by the fact that until not so long ago, looking at paintings was also an act of prayer and that acts of seeing and believing were intertwined. In his work he tries to bring forth this optical-theological tension. Thus, religious (mainly Christian) imagery and optical uncertainty play a significant part in his paintings. In addition, his endeavour leads to many political issues and identity discomforts that are the constant backdrop of creating contemporary art in Israel.   

Solo exhibitions include: "Advent", Suzanne Tarasieve Gallery, Paris (2015); "Call and Response", Braverman Gallery, Tel Aviv (2012) “Two Thousand and Eleven”, Tel Aviv Museum of Art (2011); “They’ll Never Wake Us in Time”, Braverman Gallery, Tel Aviv (2010); “Saddle”, Ashdod Museum of Art (2010) & “Visitors”, Givon Gallery, Tel Aviv (2006).

Selected group exhibitions include: “Re:Start”, Braverman Gallery, Tel Aviv (2015); Leipzig International Art Programme (LIA), selected by curator Anna-Louise Rolland to present at the Rundgang, Spinnerei, Leipzig (2014) ; “The Human Stain” , Liverpool Biennial (2010); “Wild Exaggeration”, Haifa Museum of Art (2009).

Eliav is the recipient of the Rappaport Prize for a Young Israeli Artist (2010); The Young Artist Prize, Israeli Ministry of Education and Culture (2008); The Excellence Award, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem (2008); and the America-Israel Foundation Prize (2004). Oren Eliav’s works are featured in public and private collections in Israel and abroad. In 2013 Eliav participated in the Cité Internationale des Arts residency, Paris.

To watch i24news interview with Oren Eliav, click here. (French)
Read Oren Eliav's spotlight here.