Boaz Vaadia (November 13, 1951 – February 25, 2017) was an Israeli‑born American sculptor whose work centered on simplified human figures rendered in natural stone and, later, in bronze. Born in the village of Gat Rimon, Israel, Vaadia moved to the United States and established his long‑term studio practice in Brooklyn. His sculptures are widely recognized for their direct engagement with the textures, weight, and visual rhythm of stone.

Artistic approach and materials

Vaadia built much of his reputation by assembling layers of quarried stone—such as bluestone, slate and granite—into stacked, block‑like volumes that form simplified human silhouettes. He emphasized the material's inherent qualities: grain, color variation and weathered surfaces. Later in his career he adapted these forms to bronze through casting, preserving the tactile surfaces of the original stones while making the works more durable and suitable for outdoor display.

Technique, themes, and characteristics

  • Layering: horizontal strata of stone suggest both erosion and construction.
  • Human presence: reduced, often seated or standing figures that evoke permanence and restraint.
  • Natural dialogue: many pieces register an explicit tension between the human scale and geological time.

Background and development

Raised in Israel, Vaadia carried an early awareness of landscape and craft into his training and practice. After relocating to New York he worked for decades in Brooklyn, where he produced both gallery pieces and public commissions. His move toward bronze casting allowed wider placement of his imagery while retaining the original stone textures.

Exhibitions, public presence, and legacy

Vaadia's work appeared in galleries, museums and outdoor sites, attracting attention for its formal clarity and material immediacy. Critics and collectors have noted how his figures combine a sense of archetype with contemporary urban presence. He left a body of work that is often installed in public collections and continues to influence artists who work in carved and assembled stone.

Vaadia died in Brooklyn, New York, from pancreatic cancer on February 25, 2017 at age 65. He was survived by his wife Kim and two daughters. For more information about his life and work see related resources: biographical overview, exhibition histories, and technique studies. Additional materials and remembrances are available through local and institutional pages: Brooklyn tributes, archive entries, and medical or obituary references noting cause of death.