Shimon Wanda is a multidisciplinary contemporary artist, painter, sculptor, and creative entrepreneur based in Haifa’s Kiryat Haim neighborhood.

Working extensively in the public sphere, he creates across a wide range of scales, formats, and techniques from large-scale murals and street art to intimate portraits, sculptures, and digital work.

 

From a young age, Wanda was deeply connected to art, constantly drawing, experimenting, and developing his visual language.

Although he formally studied electronics engineering and worked in the field for several years, he ultimately chose to leave that path behind, driven by a stronger calling to pursue art fully and dedicate his life to creation.

 

Although born in Israel, his artistic identity is deeply influenced by the history and culture of the Ethiopian Jewish community, which continues to serve as a central source of inspiration in his work. Wanda moves fluidly between mediums, combining spray paint, acrylics, oil, and diverse materials in an ever-evolving creative process.

 

Largely self-taught, Wanda developed his artistic language through a disciplined and rigorous practice, driven by continuous experimentation, research, and a constant pursuit of new techniques. His work reflects an ongoing exploration of material, form, and expression, pushing boundaries and refining a unique visual language.

 

His work is characterized by vibrant color palettes, a dynamic interplay between abstract and realistic elements, and a visual language in constant motion. In recent years, he has focused especially on expressive portraiture breaking facial structures into emotional and intuitive forms. His portraits, which stand at the core of his practice, explore identity, roots, culture, and memory, placing the human figure at the center of the narrative.

 

“My choice to express emotion through the portrait creates a moment of freeze,” he says. “But at the same time, I want the viewer to feel confused and excited.”

 

As an entrepreneur, Wanda initiates and leads large-scale artistic projects, collaborating with artists, institutions, and commercial partners. His work connects spaces, communities, and cultures, transforming environments and creating meaningful visual experiences.