Photo: Evgeny Merman, Eva Lanska, Eyal Waldman
Tel Aviv’s vibrant cultural scene has a new addition that promises to redefine how contemporary art is experienced. Situated on 13 Ahad Ha’Am Street, The L Gallery opened its doors this October, emerging as a fresh hub for artistic dialogue and cross-cultural exchange. The launch marks not just the debut of a new exhibition space, but the arrival of a concept-driven platform devoted to promoting Israeli and international artists while nurturing an inclusive dialogue between disciplines.
Founded by a team of creators and entrepreneurs from both the art and business worlds—including London-based filmmaker and visual artist Eva Lanska—The L Gallery reflects a cosmopolitan spirit. Its founding mission centers on using art as a bridge between cultures, amplifying creative voices often defined by experiences of migration, identity, and belonging. The gallery’s director, Mindy Schechter, formerly at the helm of major galleries in London, brings her extensive international experience and curatorial insight to Tel Aviv, ensuring the new venue enters the city’s art landscape with purpose and credibility.
A Poetic Beginning: Evgeny Merman’s “Unfolded”
The new gallery’s inaugural exhibition, “Unfolded,” is a solo presentation by Israeli artist Evgeny Merman, whose work is known for exploring the emotional terrain of memory and migration. A graduate of New York’s School of Visual Arts, Merman has built an international reputation for his ability to weave personal history with collective experience, often working with fragile, pre-used materials that carry traces of their past. His approach results in pieces that feel alive—imbued with scars, textures, and emotional residue that echo his own journey from Ukraine to Israel.
In “Unfolded,” Merman revisits key works from 2017 to 2025, offering an introspective narrative on displacement and transformation. “For me, painting is both a tactile, meditative act and a way to explore what migration and memory leave behind,” Merman reflects. “I often work on surfaces that already carry scars and traces, so each piece becomes a dialogue between what was there before and what remains unresolved.”
The exhibition presents haunting compositions layered with symbolic gestures, where the patina of old materials meets deliberate, contemplative brushwork. Critics and curators attending the preview have noted that Merman’s art offers a rare sense of stillness and honesty—qualities that feel especially relevant in a global moment shaped by geopolitical flux and emotional uncertainty.
Displayed through December 15, 2025, “Unfolded” sets a thoughtful tone for The L Gallery’s curatorial ethos: visually refined, emotionally immersive, and intellectually inclusive.
Eva Lanska’s “Sisterhood”: A Reflection on Connection and Empowerment
Complementing Merman’s exhibit, The L Gallery also unveiled “Sisterhood,” a video artwork by Eva Lanska. Known for her cinematic style that merges fine art and storytelling, Lanska explores themes of female solidarity, identity, and empathy. “Sisterhood” has previously been showcased at the Venice Biennale and Miami Art Week, where it earned praise for its emotionally charged portrayal of women supporting one another through shared struggle and resilience.
The inclusion of Lanska’s video work in the gallery’s opening underscores its commitment to presenting multidisciplinary art forms. “Opening The L Gallery is both a privilege and a responsibility,” Lanska said during the launch. “We wanted to create a space in the heart of Tel Aviv that not only presents art but also invites people to pause, reflect, and connect with ideas that challenge and inspire. Evgeny Merman’s works embody this vision perfectly. This exhibition acts as a pop-up prelude to our official grand opening later this year.”
Her statement reflects The L Gallery’s broader philosophy—art as a meeting place for awareness and transformation. In a city celebrated for its creative energy, the gallery positions itself as a reflective sanctuary, encouraging viewers to slow down and engage deeply with what art reveals about humanity.
A Night of Creativity and Connection
The gallery’s opening night brought together a distinguished circle of guests from across Israel’s art, business, and cultural communities. Among those attending were Eyal Waldman, Miki Jacobson Dehab, CEO of the Israel Philharmonic Foundation; Anat Fischer-Leventon, CEO of the Suzanne Dellal Centre; Amnon Apelbaum, engineering consultant for Canada Israel; architect Yoav Messer; Rob Anders, CEO of Niio—a major platform in the digital art ecosystem; and philanthropist Yaakov Peretz with his wife Rachel.
Their presence underscored the growing synergy between creative enterprise and philanthropy in Tel Aviv’s cultural landscape. Also in attendance were collectors and artists from Europe, North America, and Asia, reinforcing the city’s reputation as an international cultural destination.
The evening was characterized by lively discussion, with guests mingling across the gallery’s minimalist, light-filled rooms designed to keep focus on the artworks themselves. The space, though modest in size, sets an elegant atmosphere with neutral tones and controlled lighting—ideal for highlighting Merman’s nuanced compositions and Lanska’s atmospheric video installation.
About Evgeny Merman
Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Evgeny Merman relocated to Israel, where his artistic career evolved through explorations in video, painting, and installation art. Educated at the Kyiv Art School and the School of Visual Arts in New York, Merman often repurposes delicate materials—paper, fabric, and reclaimed wood—to express the fragility of identity and belonging. His works have been exhibited across Europe and Israel, including solo shows in Switzerland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine, as well as presentations in Tel Aviv’s Wertheimer and Hanina Galleries.
In 2019, Merman received First Prize at Japan’s 33rd Kyoto Art Festival, solidifying his position among emerging international artists. His works are now part of several notable collections, including the Jerusalem Municipality, the Hong Kong Holocaust and Tolerance Museum, and the Museum and Center of Contemporary Art in Ticino, Switzerland. In 2025, Merman is set to unveil a new project at the National Art Museum of Ukraine in Kyiv, further establishing his evolving dialogue between memory, geography, and emotion.
The L Gallery’s Global Footprint
Beyond its Tel Aviv location, The L Gallery operates in Monaco, London, and New York—each with a distinct identity tailored to its cultural context. Across all locations, the gallery emphasizes accessibility and narrative power, championing artists who explore universal yet deeply personal themes. Its upcoming calendar includes collaborations with both established and emerging talents, reflecting its mission to “bridge distances through art.”
The L Gallery’s arrival in Tel Aviv feels timely. In a city known for its restless creativity and dialogue between tradition and innovation, this new venue offers a space of depth and introspection. By spotlighting artists like Evgeny Merman and Eva Lanska, it invites audiences to see art not just as aesthetic expression, but as an emotional journey—a mirror through which contemporary life unfolds.