Laurence Ziv 1934-2015
Life Story
Creation, Studies and Influences
Laurence was a distinctly multidisciplinary artist. He studied fashion design at the Israel Institute of Technology with Riki Ben-Ari, painting with Yehezkel Streichman – one of the leaders of the abstraction movement in Israeli art – and also studied architecture as part of the Technion’s external studies. Throughout his life, he combined these three worlds – fashion, architecture and painting – and created an artistic and personal language for himself. He planned and designed villas and private residences, public buildings, hotels, restaurants and cafes, and sometimes even incorporated his own murals into them. In collaboration with Ruth Dayan, he created a unique fashion line for “Mishkit,” and his name began to become famous in the local design world.
In addition to his love of art, Laurence was also an avid music lover, playing the double bass and drums. He performed with jazz musicians Danny Gottfried and Albert Piamenta, and was a member of the "Bell Boys" band – the house band of the dance club in Ramat Gan National Park. His love of Spanish music led him repeatedly to Spain, where he was captivated by the magic of flamenco and bullfighting – motifs that later became central to his work.
In 1970, when he was already a father of three children, he traveled to the United States with the intention of settling there with his family. In the US, he worked in architecture, planning and designing clubs and restaurants in an oriental style - including the "Baghdadim" club in Las Vegas and the "Ohalim" club in Los Angeles. He also designed the first Israeli student club in Los Angeles, and was responsible for designing and producing the events for the 25th Independence Day of the State of Israel there. In 1972, he presented a solo exhibition of his paintings on the theme of Jerusalem. Later, he opened a fashion studio in Beverly Hills, organized fashion shows in prestigious clubs, and collaborated with Israeli models, including Ilana Gur and Ronit Rinat. As part of his fashion line, he even launched a perfume called Laurence Of Judea, a name he used extensively later on.
The beginning of the road
Laurence Ziv was born in Baghdad on November 23, 1934, and immigrated to Israel with his family when he was only eight months old. His father, Avraham, chose his name after his friend, the British officer Laurence the Arab, whom he admired during World War I. He spent his childhood and youth in Ramat Gan, where he attended the "Yahlom" school and was educated until his adulthood. In adulthood, he married the late Nurit, the love of his life, and the two established their home near his parents' home in Ramat Gan. Together they raised four sons: Eyal, Oz, Erez, and Kfir.
Return to Israel and the local design
In 1973, he suffered a heart attack, and his longing for his family grew. He returned to Israel to Nurit and his children, and the family made their home in Jaffa. Laurence built his dream home with his own hands, which also included a studio where he worked and created. Laurence continued to develop his fashion line while continuing to work as an architect and interior designer. Among other projects he planned and designed: the club and marina in Dahav in Sinai, the cultural room in Neve Ativ, hotels and nightclubs in Eilat and Tel Aviv, as well as the "Gan Oranim" halls and the Air Force dining rooms.
Alongside his work in design and architecture, Laurence continued to create spectacular clothing and fashion shows, including the 1978 "Desert Fashion" show at the Sheraton Hotel, where he transformed the hotel lobby into a spectacular Bedouin encampment. The success of the show led to the establishment of a special boutique in the hotel itself, where his designs were sold.
Renewal, Heritage and Family
In 1985, he had a serious car accident, and the long rehabilitation process he went through was defined as a real medical conference. His wife Nurit stood by him with endless devotion, alongside close friends who fought with him for his life. After his recovery, he returned to creating with full force. In 1998, he presented the exhibition "Love in Dance" at the Asia House, in 2001 he created the sculpture "Woman's Spirit" in memory of his friend Ilana Binnenstock, and in 2003 he created "Forest of Eden" in memory of those killed in the attack on the Dolphinarium. In 2005, he dedicated a statue to the memory of his son Oz, the late, which is located at the entrance to the city of Holon, and in 2006 he presented the exhibition "Flamenco in the Arena" at the Einav Center, which was also dedicated to his memory.
In 2012, he presented his last exhibition, "Women Fighters," which expressed the strength and standing of women in Israeli society. Beyond his artistic pursuits, Laurence was an avid hunter. Hunting for him was not only a hobby but also a social experience, a masculine journey through nature, a challenge and endless friendships with the late Gideon Kotler, the late Itzik Tomer, Moti Friedman and Pinchas Barel. Every season, he went out with his friends to the north of the country, equipped with his hunting rifle, to hunt partridges, wild boars and other animals.
Laurence was first and foremost a warm and loving family man. He appreciated and cherished Nurit for her endless support, and together they raised a large and close-knit family – four sons, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Laurence Ziv passed away on December 26, 2015, and a decade after his passing, his work, spirit and love of art remain a living testament to a man who lived his life with creativity, beauty and endless passion.