about Zev
Artists Statement
Throughout history, humans have gazed upon birds with awe and admiration. Their remarkable ability to traverse the skies has long captured the human imagination. In ancient cultures, birds were seen as extraordinary beings that connect the earthly realm to the divine, symbolizing freedom, peace, and even the human soul, i.e. angels depicted with wings or doves heralding hope and loyalty.
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I fell in love with birds when I was just 11 years old. Back then, I’d watch and sketch them whenever I could. This passion has since shaped my identity, not only as an artist but as a dedicated advocate for their preservation. To me, birds embody much more than aesthetic beauty; they serve as powerful icons and metaphors, reflecting both the triumphs and tragedies of humanity. I’m painfully aware of the of the environmental harm caused by human actions, where the fate of birds is also an indicator for the overall health of the planet- literally the “canary in the mine”.
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In my artistic practice, I frequently explore the interplay between humans and birds by depicting myself wearing feathers or donning wings, thereby transforming into an avian figure. These portrayals pose profound questions: What is our role in the challenges we face today? What sacrifices are necessary to uphold our principles? Are we sufficiently safeguarding what we hold dear, or are we passively allowing circumstances to dictate our sacrifices?
Since October 7 (2023, war between Hamas in Gaza and Israel), the unfolding events have brought an atmosphere of profound anguish, marked by violence, destruction, displacement, and loss. Amid this turmoil, the cycle of bird migration has continued undeterred, with reports emerging of bird movements even in conflict zones. This juxtaposition has inspired me to depict migratory birds against backgrounds of explosions and smoke. These works reflect the resilience of nature, persisting even amidst human-induced chaos.
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The paradox is striking: humanity relies heavily on Earth's resources and the natural environment, yet often views itself as separate from them—as rulers rather than integral partners. This disconnect fosters a sense of isolation not only from nature but also within human communities. My love for birds has evolved into an understanding that they, in turn, provide solace and protection. Disconnection from nature results in profound loneliness, underscoring the need to reestablish our bond with it. In doing so, we may rediscover the sense of unity, belonging, and interconnectedness that is so desperately lacking.
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I urge us all to take a moment to observe the birds in flight and reflect on the profound lessons they have to offer. By reconnecting with nature, we can also renew the connections that bind us to one another, forging a pathway back to meaning and shared purpose.
Biography
Zev is a visual artist, musician and ecologist. Born in 1962 in the USA, he later immigrated to Israel in 1986 (because of the birds!) where he now lives with his wife and two daughters. His interest in nature and specifically birds together with art has been an almost lifelong pursuit starting when he was 11 years old. He received his B.Sc. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology at the University of California, Davis, in 1985 and his M.Sc. (cum laude) at the Department of Zoology, Tel-Aviv University, Israel in 1991. During this time, he also studied art at University of California, Davis, Santa Barbara City College, California, and in Israel at Emek Yizreel and Oranim Colleges.
Zev has worked as a wildlife biologist with the US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service and as an environmental consultant with a variety of government agencies, consulting firms and NGOs. In Israel he was the Conservation and Research Coordinator for the Israel Ornithological Center of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) for over 15 years until becoming a full-time artist. He is the Israeli representative for the international organization "Artists for Nature Foundation" and has exhibited in Israel and internationally. His works can be found in private collections, museums, books and field guides. Fascinated by how things work, especially how things work together, his art spans from traditional nature art to dealing with the intersection between nature and society. He is the initiator and coordinator of the Hula Valley International Artists for Nature and assisted with the Dead Sea Artists for Nature project that brought nature artists from around the world to raise awareness of these world-renowned landscapes.
EXHIBITIONS
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2025 Cliff Gallery, Netanya, Israel, group exhibit “The Day After”
2024 Artist Collective Gallery, Israel, Solo exhibit “Between Heaven and Earth”
2022, 2021, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2010 Leigh-Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wisconsin, USA, Juried group exhibit “Birds in Art”
2022 Oranim College Art Gallery, Israel, group exhibit “Outside the Studio”
2020 The Old Flour Mill, Kibbutz Sha’ar HaAmakim, group exhibit “Cracks”
2020 Artist Collective Gallery, Tivon, Israel, group exhibit “Second Hand”
2020 Ra’anana Arts Center, Israel, group exhibit “Arbiritum Day”
2019 De Oude School, Netherlands, group exhibit “Bringing the Dead Sea Back to Life”
2018 Fresh Paint International Art Fair, Tel Aviv, group exhibition “On the Seam”
2018 Bank Hapoalim, Tel Aviv, group exhibition “Art for fighting aids”
2018 The Nazareth Gallery of Art and Culture, Israel, group exhibition “Icons”
2016 Mercaz HaHantzakha, Kiryat Tivon, Israel, Nature in the Back Lot, Solo exhibition
2014 Wilcomitz House Gallery, Rosh Pina, Israel, The 60’s, group exhibition
2012-2014 Travelling group exhibition, Drawing Inspiration from the Hula Valley, curator and participant, Wilcomitz House Rosh Pina, Wildlife Art Gallery at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory, Haifa Science Museum, Madatech, Gallery of Art and Culture Nazareth, Ort Braude College Gallery.
2011-2012 Wilcomitz House Gallery, Rosh Pina, Israel, “Birds”, group show
2009 Oranim College, Tivon, Israel “The Writing is on the Wall”, solo exhibition
2008-2009 Agamon HaHula Park, Israel, group exhibition of Artists for Nature Foundation
2005 Mitzpe Hayamim Hotel, Rosh Pina, Israel “Birds”, solo exhibition,
2004 San Marcos Foothills Art Exhibition, Santa Barbara
2003 HaKimaron, Beit Shean, “Tzipor B’Yad- A Bird in the Hand”, solo exhibition
1999, 2000, and 2001 Mercaz HaHantzakha, Kiryat Tivon Group Show-.
1995 Santa Barbara City College Student Art Show - Juried show. Awarded Honorable Mention in the category of Painting.
1994 Santa Barbara Art Walk '94, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. - Painting accepted and sold at the Indoor Show.
Publications
The Bird Art of Zev Labinger, Arne Ohlsson, 2024, Answer Magazine, Swedish Ornithological Society
Drawing Inspiration from the Hula Valley, Labinger, Z and E. Gorney, 2012. Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 196 pp.​​
Books and Illustrations:
2022 Nearly Normal, Edna Gorney, Bialik Institute Publishing
2021 How the Birds Became Friends, Noa Baum, Familius Publications
2020 Phoebe 50th Anniversary, https://phoebejournal.com/50-1
2020 Zoological Portrait: Lexicon, Edna Gorney, Pardes (41 illustrations)
2018 Bringing the Dead Sea to Life: Art and Nature at the Lowest Place on Earth, Hadas Marcus and Yossi Leshem, Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 303 pp
2015, 2005 Pocket Guide, Israel Nature Series: Birds and Migrating Birds (Solo artist in Migrating Birds)
2014 Lift and Drag, Edna Gorney, New World Publishing (Solo artist)
2014 Legends of Wandering and Return, Shira Twersky-Cassel. Sifrei Bitzaron Publishing (solo artist)
2013 Birds, Poetry Journal, Cyclamens and Swords Publishing (solo artist)
2013 Mashiv HaRuakh, Poetry Journal, (Solo artist)
2007 Breeding Bird Atlas of Santa Clara County, California, Audubon Society
2007 According to Speech, Yehonadav Perlman, (Cover Painting)
2004 Bridges, A Journal for Jewish Feminists and our Friends. Vol:10,1 (Cover Painting)
2003 Breeding Bird Atlas of Napa County, California. Napa-Solano Audubon Society. pp. 199.
