Yelena Beliaev. Born in the USSR. Has lived in Israel for the last 24 years. A self-taught fiber and mixed media artist working in needle felting technique.

For five years she has created more than 100 felted pieces which have been arranged in different assemblages and installations.

Since 2022 her works have been published in different art magazines, have taken part in group and solo exhibitions in Rome, Paris, Amsterdam and Israel, and also have been exhibited on online international platforms.

The artist researches the theme of memory, identity, traditions, cultural codes and emotions which the memory revives.
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Selected solo and group exhibitions
2024
Receptors for Memory, personal self-organized exhibition
5 Jan - 30 Apr 2024, Visitors’ Center, Ofir Winery, Alon HaGalil, Israel
2024
The Whole and its Parts, curator Keren Bar-Gil
4 Sep - 20 Sep 2024, Keren Bar-Gil Contemporary Art Gallery, Ramat-HaSharon, Israel
2024
Summer Show
12 Jun - 20 Jul 2024, RBSA Gallery, Birmingham, UK
2024
The Art of Picnic, curators Tamar Lamdan, Carmit Shine
7 Jun - 23 Jul 2024, TEO, Herzlyia, Israel
2023
Your View, online exhibition
25 Mar 2023, International Felt Makers Association
2022
New Art Vibes, curator Vanessa Viti
5 Nov - 11 Nov 2022, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2022
New Art Vibes, curator Vanessa Viti
20 Oct - 28 Oct 2022, Paris, France
2022
Nature by Hand, online exhibition
4 Oct - 30 Oct 2022, The Gallery by MUI
2022
New Art Vibes, curator Vanessa Viti
9 Sep - 15 Sep 2022, Rome, Italy
2022
Visual Art Show
22 Jun - 29 Jun 2022, The Holy Art Gallery, London, UK
WORKS
Through felted sculptures of fruits and vegetables,
I explore memory
The artist explores memory, identity and cultural codes. For visualization this theme she has chosen the most ancient textile technique — felting.
However, the artist’s attention is concentrated on a more modern way, needle felting. It allows her to create small realistic looking 3D objects. The choice of this medium helps the artist in working in the theme of memory, because felt — iconic material of many national cultures — is deeply connected with home, traditions, and ancestors.
The artist often includes in her works fruit and vegetables, which are presented in everyday life of every person as an emotional trigger. She spent much time at home, bringing up two daughters, taking care of the home and tiny garden. Fruit and vegetables were a part of her routine life — in the kitchen, garden, market. She used to immerse herself in memories and thoughts about people and events associated with this or that fruit and vegetable.

The artist creates assemblages and installations, which imply, or allow for a tactile experience with viewers. To enhance the effect of immersion in memories, she invites viewers to touch, lift, look into, or move objects.
The author shares her personal experience. She wants to wake up the viewers' memories as well. The viewer can become a participant and sometimes an initiator of the conversation. In matters of keeping memories, the artist has more trust in simple stories of ordinary people than in polished texts from books.
Exhibitions
Receptors for Memory
5 Jan - 30 Apr 2024
Visitors’ Center
Ofir Winery, Alon HaGalil, Israel
The Art of Picnic, curators Tamar Lamdan, Carmit Shine
7 Jun - 23 Jul 2024
TEO, Herzlyia, Israel