An exploration of human nature, and the human figure as part of the natural
environment, have been prevailing themes in Ben-David’s work. Animals, plants and
invisible natural forces, like gravity and light, are used as metaphors and tools to
examine and explore human behaviour.
Ben-David’s ability to communicate can be seen as an infinite string of unconscious
elements exploring our identity and testing our ideas and emotions.Scientific
discoveries and innovation, as well as illusion and magic, create a series of
propositions in Ben-David’s work concerning the absurd, as well as the hope,
inherent in the human condition.
Evolution and Theory is my first installation and is still the largest.
Most of the images were inspired by illustrations found in late nineteenth-century scientific
books. There are 250 sculptures, all hand cut from aluminium sheet and hand painted.
Individual pieces range in size from 20 cm to 2.8 metres high. Large and small pieces are
juxtaposed, seemingly at random, their bases concealed by a thin layer of fine sand. The
installation occupies a floor area of 400 square metres and took three years to complet.
