Shlomi Haziza - An Ambitious Idealist
Our internationally recognized cover artist talks about
his art, his life, his beliefs, and his burgeoning business By Avital Binshtock
 

Shlomi Haziza wishes he were president. He would encourage the world to stop dealing with "all the stuff that's a big waste of time," like war and bombs, and instead teach people how to bask in the joy of this world, promote peace and happiness. He believes "there's a land for everyone" and wants to show that everyone is just "trying to sing a song." His beliefs and tenets ("Try to think positive," "Make love.") verify that he is a diehard idealist.

Born in Haifa, Israel, Haziza has been making art since he was 15. He started by selling whimsical paintings on sea stones, which turned into an international success story; the trend became wildly popular and Haziza moved up in the world. He began designing clubs and restaurants, giving them an atmosphere consistent with his vivid art. He took his work to showcases all over the world. When his travels brought him to the United States, the government granted him permanent residency because he exhibited what they deemed "extraordinary ability."

Once established in Los Angeles, he founded H.Studio in 1993. (Though he loves L.A., he claims "You can create wherever you are.") Since then, H.Studio has become a veritable mecca for L.A.-based modern artists and those who seek modern art. It serves as a workspace for more than 75 artists with origins spanning the globe. "We do everything here," said Haziza, who prides himself on creations that "make it hard for other people to do." Indeed, his unique combination of design and technique ensures that his work will not be easily duplicated. He loves newness, and it shows in the nonconformist modernity of his work. Ironically, while he loves to create the new and the fresh, Haziza defines the essence of beauty as timeless and eternal. To him, "anything that will stay after you leave this world" is beautiful.                 

Consistent with Haziza's respect for sempiternity and the cycle of life, River Wall Sculpture, featured on our cover, conveys, according to its creator, the message that "life is round" Made from black acrylic and brushed aluminum, it is hand-painted from the back with metallics and opaques.

"Jewelry you hang on your wall" is how Haziza characterizes the freeform sculpture, which is bent to create a three-dimensional look with lots of movement.

 His inspiration, as can be inferred from his peace-loving mantras as well as the names of his paintings—Unity, Land of Love, Human Life, Connecting—is the splendor of life and love. He seems exhilarated by the beauty of the world, and translates this exuberance onto the canvas and into sculpture.

 Artistic movements—smearing oil onto canvas, bending metals in an oven, casting materials from liquid—become actions of peace, actions of love…physical expressions of a desire to make others feel happy, uplifted, touched. Then there's Haziza's desire to infuse the world with his own uniqueness. "I want to make what's not already out there-what's different."

Using new techniques and mediums, Haziza is able to conceive truly original works of art. Contorted acrylic, stainless steel, brushed aluminum, and self-concocted materials come together harmoniously to become a passionately expressive sculpture. In his paintings, vivid oils, streaky brushstrokes, and infusions of dazzling hues converge with undertones of soothing spirituality.

The pieces are relatively expensive (some fetch as much as $250,000, though others can be yours for as little as $50) and are sold in high-end stores like Nieman Marcus, fine furniture stores and international galleries, and can be seen in major museums. But neither the art nor the artist is pretentious. Haziza's work is for the people. He will alter a piece to a client's taste: change a color here, reshape a bit there. He has had clients bring in a swatch of fabric and created an entire art piece to match.

Though his demeanor is one of cheery matter-of-factness and his banter lighthearted, Haziza has a fierce determination to succeed and a serious entrepreneurial streak, as demonstrated by the exponential growth of H.Studio and the new realms into which he has ventured. In 1996, the company only produced sculptures and paintings. Now, they have expanded into functional art: modern contemporary furniture, rugs, and artwear all grace the studio's showroom. Haziza's client base primarily consists of large corporations, well-known galleries, and the film industry. The art that comes out of H.Studio enjoys widespread commercial use in high-profile places such as movie sets and corporate meeting spaces. The enterprising Haziza also founded Shoppingart.com, which provides content, graphic Web design, and hosting for online art businesses.

 Haziza's vision for the future? "We're gonna be huge." His goal is to make H.Studio a household name. His plan for expansion and growth includes gallery director Irving Simons. With Irving's twenty-five years of experience in fine-art management, there are now plans to publish, license, exhibit, and sell Haziza's artwork internationally. Faith in the studio and the artists who work there runs deep: "I believe we are one of the best in the world at what we do, if not the best," Haziza asserts. With the daily addition of new venues and a plethora of novel ideas, Haziza may very well see his dream realized.