Draft:Sam Halaby

Halaby was born and raised in Daliyat al-Karmel, the youngest child after nine sisters in a traditional Druze family. His art has been continually inspired by his family, particularly his parents, even after their passing. He has noted that he was deeply influenced by his mother, from whom he inherited many of his creative artistic qualities.^[4][5]

From early childhood, he spent hours in solitude painting and experimenting with different artistic techniques. Over time, he focused on the style with which he now works, influenced by Druze culture and life in Israel.^[6]

Halaby has exhibited his work in various venues in Israel and internationally, including shows in Europe and the United States.

In 2022, he presented The Color Hunter, a solo exhibition in Tel Aviv (curator: Doron Polak; producers: Ran Lavdy, Tali Ben Sira, and Iris Elhanani). The exhibition, which extended across 1,000 square meters, was based on his signature artistic style. It drew more than 25,000 visitors over the course of a single week and received enthusiastic reviews from multiple audiences.^[7]

In April 2023, Halaby gained international recognition when he opened Beit HaTzeva'im ("The House of Colors"), the childhood home where he grew up with his family in Daliyat al-Karmel. The project turned the building into an art museum and visitor center open to the public throughout the week. Halaby painted all of the building's walls (approximately 600 meters across four floors) in hundreds of colors, transforming it into an environmental architectural sculpture, the first of its kind in Israel. The project was carried out with the support of the Israeli paint company Nirlat, which contributed around 1,800 liters of paint for the installation.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Halaby described the project as a house where he had experienced joy, hardship, challenges, and loss-particularly after the death of his mother. He explained that he decided to "paint the past" and preserve memory, without regard to real estate value or material considerations, while presenting the story of his life.^[12]

As of April 2025, approximately one million people had visited the project, which became a cultural attraction and a magnet for both tourists and art enthusiasts from Israel and abroad. In addition, Halaby was reported as the Israeli artist with the highest number of social media views, with more than 90 million views worldwide on Instagram alone.^[13][14]

Halaby is married to Yarin and is the father of two daughters.

Halaby has collaborated with international brands in various fields. Notable projects include:

• Monday.com - Halaby's works were exhibited at the United Nations building in New York as part of Creating Hope, a project combining art with messages of hope and community connection.
• Hostages' Square, Tel Aviv (with Nirlat) - Following the events of October 7 and the hostage crisis, Halaby, in collaboration with Nirlat, created the installation Now! addressing the relationship between art and social awareness through unique colors and lighting. The work was developed together with the families of hostages. Another installation, Freedom, consisted of 120 yellow doves cast in iron and set in concrete, symbolizing the call for liberty. Both projects were intended to raise awareness of the issue.^[16]
• Düsseldorf, Germany - Halaby redesigned the city's symbol, the Radschläger (cartwheel figure representing local joy and tradition), as a contribution to the local community.^[17]
• Collaboration with Ran Danker - Danker's music video Back to Reality was filmed at Halaby's House of Colors, integrating unique artistic elements created by Halaby.
• Hanukkah installation at TLV Mall - Building Hope Together was presented during the Hanukkah holiday in Tel Aviv. Halaby created a "forest of dreams" composed of olive branches from the harvest, with tens of thousands of colorful construction blocks in place of olives. Families and children were invited to take part in building their own optimistic creations, with the installation spread across the mall and conveying a message of hope and optimism.
• Mercedes-Benz collaboration - Halaby presented an electric Mercedes car in a modern-art style, highlighting the connection between technology and art, as part of a pop-up exhibition at Ramat Aviv Mall.^[18]
• Atna Foundation Fundraiser, Tel Aviv- On May 16, 2017, Halaby participated in a fundraising event hosted by the Atna Foundation in collaboration with Bank Masad. He presented the artwork "Bloom", created from a repurposed computer. Proceeds from the event were dedicated to purchasing tablets for special education teachers.
• Spirit of Summer, Yvel Center, Motza, Jerusalem An exhibition held from June 4 to 29, 2023, at the Yvel Center in Jerusalem, in partnership with Yvel Jewelry. Halaby presented a series of paint-splatter works alongside fine jewelry displays.^[19][20]
• Art To Go Tel Aviv, Amiad Center, Jaffa. Displayed from April 7 to 15, 2023, at the Amiad Center in Jaffa and organized in collaboration with the Zaritsky Painter and Sculptor Association. Halaby showcased his piece "Tree of Life".^[21]
• Great Light, Jaffa Port. A group exhibition curated by Tali Ben Sira, held from December 7 to 23, 2023, at Warehouse 2 in Jaffa Port. The exhibition focused on the events of October 7, with all proceeds directed toward the rehabilitation of communities near the Gaza border. Halaby presented the work "Bloom".^[22]
• Choosing Art – Choosing Love, Amiad Center, Jaffa. A contemporary art festival held from October 9 to 26, 2024, curated by Iris Elhanani and Doron Polak. Halaby took part in the interactive installation "Let’s Paint Love", created in collaboration with singer David D’Or.
• Night Watch (September 25 – December 31, 2024), curated by Dr. Tal Mashgab and Duchi Cohen. Halaby exhibited his installation "Tree of Life", crafted from tree trunks collected on Mount Carmel after the 2010 wildfire.
• Bridge of Hope, held in July 2025 to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany. The exhibition was initiated by Ambassador Ron Prosor and centered on themes of unity and peace.^[23]
• Pouring Hope from July 6 to 31, 2025, in collaboration with the Melisron Group. The installation featured a six-meter-high structure of buckets pouring colorful building blocks into a transparent frame, along with a car decorated with thousands of 3D elements.^[24]
• The Druze and Us – A Brotherhood Pact. A solidarity and art event held on July 31, 2025, in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square and Majdal Shams, with participation from artists of diverse communities. Halaby presented a work dedicated to unity and shared identity. The initiative was led by Doron Polak, Oded Hubara, and others, with support from the Civilian Emergency HQ and Nirlat.^[25]
• Chambers of the Heart, a group exhibition held from August 8 to October 18, 2025. Halaby presented the installation "Love Birds", The Museum for Islamic  Art in Jerusalem, curated by Orna Mazor.
• Sam Halaby- The Color Hunter- exhibition- Art Miami  Context 2 to 7 December 2025^[2][26]