Bio

Shiran Zaray-Mizrahi is a contemporary painter and illustrator based in Beit Shemesh, Israel. Working primarily in oil on canvas, she creates emotive depictions of figures within luminous, textured landscapes that explore the relationship between humanity, nature, and spiritual presence. Her work is best known for its atmospheric and expressive approach to the figure in space, where light, movement, and material surface carry emotional and contemplative weight.

Classically trained and informed by both modernist and figurative traditions, her painting practice centers on the meeting point between the inner and outer world. Drawing from her childhood in South Africa, her Jewish heritage, and the landscape surrounding her home in Israel, her work weaves together themes of belonging, memory, and quiet longing. Figures often emerge from or dissolve into the land, suggesting moments of transition between exile and home, presence and memory, earth and spirit. Recent bodies of work, including A Peace of Land and Hamakom, extend this exploration of the human figure in landscape as a site of emotional and spiritual reflection.

Alongside her painting practice, she works as an illustrator. She is married and a mother of five, and is also involved in ongoing efforts to build and support an artist community in Beit Shemesh, where she lives and works, fostering connection and visibility for local creators while continuing to develop her studio practice.

  • Born in 1984 in Be’er Sheva, Israel
    Lived in South Africa and New York
    Resides and works in Beit Shemesh, Israel

    EDUCATION

    2010-2012: Graphic Design, Sela College, Israel 
    2002-2006: BFA in Illustration, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York 

    SOLO EXHIBITIONS

    2023, Here and Now, Municipality, Artists House & Beit Yad LaBanim (3 locations), Beit Shemesh, Israel

    GROUP EXHIBITIONS

    2026, Milieu, Jerusalem Biennale, Studio of Her Own, Jerusalem, curator: Meital Manor
    2026, The Jewish American Experience, Juneberry Gallery, New York, curator: Caral Adelstein
    2026, Identity, Stars in the Arts pop-up, New York City, curators: Annette Back & Lilian Kebudi
    2026, Local View , Artists House, Beit Shemesh,  Israel, curator: Talia Pe’er
    2025, You Can’t See it on Me , Artists House, Beit Shemesh,  Israel, curator: Adina Viktoria
    2025, Home, Hall of Justice, Be’er Sheva, Israel, curator: Dr. Orna Yair
    2024, Starting at the Beginning, Artists House, Beit Shemesh, Israel, curator: Bat Ami Belsan
    2024, October 7, Artists House, Beit Shemesh, Israel, curator: Bat Ami Belsan
    2023, Collections: Forming Memories, Artists House, Beit Shemesh, Israel, curator: Bat Ami Belsan
    2022, The Light of Art, Arts & Culture Center, Artists House & Municipality, Beit Shemesh, Israel, curator: Michal Rosner
    2017, Festival of Arts & Creativity, Sha’ar Ha’ir Mall, Beit Shemesh, Israel, curator: Michal Rosner
    2015, Opening Exhibition, Mayim Tehorim Mikveh, Beit Shemesh
    2008, Olim Art Expo, Jerusalem Theater, Jerusalem, Israel
    2006, Senior Show, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

    SELECTED ART FAIRS

    2022, An Evening to Remember, Neve Yerushalayim College for Women, Jerusalem, Israel

    AWARDS & GRANTS

    2026, Independent Creators in Visual Arts Grant, Keren Tarbut (Israel)
    2022, Special Merit, Northern Light Art Gallery (Online)
    2008, Excelling Artist Prize, Ministry of Aliyah and Integration (Israel)

    SELECTED PRESS & PUBLICATIONS

    The Almanac Annual Artist Catalog – Featured Artist, Curated by The Almanac Management, Vol. 1, First Edition, 2026
    Anna Abramzon, “Jewish Artists Won’t Be Silenced”, Times of Israel, 2024
    Chani Levine,“Summary Gallery: The Holocaust from an Artistic Perspective / גלריה מסכמת: השואה ממבט אומנותי”,www.bhol.co.il, 2023
    Featured in AICF (America-Israel Cultural Foundation) Newsletter, 2023
    Moshe Lipshitz, “Creating Light / יוצרות לאור”in Kav 400, 400.org.il, 2022
    Judaica in the Spotlight, Meet the Artist,judaicainthespotlight.com , 2022
    The Jewish Art House, The Jewish Art Magazine (selected artists), 2022

    PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

    2023: Team Member in Hackathon representing the formation of a Beit Shemesh Artists Community & Fair
    2007-2008: Art Gallery Manager, Engel Gallery, Jerusalem, Israel
    2008: Engel Gallery Rep at Art Jerusalem Art Fair, Underground Prisoners Museum, Jerusalem, Israelon text goes here