Shalev-Gerz is internationally recognised for her contributions to the field of art in the public realm and her consistent investigation into the construction of memory, history, the natural world, democracy and cultural identities. Her works challenge the notion and practice of portraiture and consider how its qualities may contribute to contemporary discourses around the politics of representation.

She has exhibited internationally in Paris, Berlin, Tübingen, Geneva, Madrid, Vienna, Finland, San Francisco, Vancouver, Detroit, New York, Guangzhou and created permanent works in publics spaces in Hamburg, Stockholm, Geneva, Glasgow, Knislinge, Galilee and Vancouver. 

Significant retrospective exhibitions were presented at the Serlachius Museum, Mantta, Finland (2017), Wasserman Projects, Detroit (2016), Musée des Beaux Arts de Lausanne (2012) and Jeu de Paume, Paris (2010).  

Her work is included in major collections such as the Centre national des arts plastiques, Paris, MacVal - Musée d'art contemporain du Val de Marne, Vitry-sur-Seine, Manufacture des Gobelins, Paris, Fondation Cartier, Paris, Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Paris, Collection de la Fondation Hippocrène, Paris, Musée Henri Martin, Cahors, Sprengel Museum, Hannover (Germany), Buchenwald Memorial (Germany), UN Park, Geneva (Switzerland), le Musée Cantonal des Beaux Arts, Lausanne (Switzerland), le Fonds d'art contemporain de la Ville de Genève (Switzerland), Skissernas Museum, Lund (Sweden), The Hasselblad Foundation, Göteborg (Sweden), Wanas Foundation, Östra Göinge, The Serlachius Museums, Mänttä (Finland) Environment Trust, Glasgow (UK), The Israel Museum, Jerusalem (Israel), The Belkin Art Gallery, Vancouver (Canada), The Wolfsonian-FIU, Miami Beach (USA)