The Jewish Art Magazine Presented by The Jewish Art House B’’H Issue 2 - Volume 2 2023 “Birkat Habayit (House Blessing)” By Karen Bardash
Note From The Jewish Art House Thank you for reading The Jewish Art Magazine presented by The Jewish Art House ! We were founded in order to create opportunities for Jewish artists and by looking through these pages you are doing just that. If you like the work the artists featured in our magazine please follow their Instagram account, visit their website, or contact them about purchasing one of their pieces. If you are an artist who wants to have their work featured in our next issue connect with us @TheJewishArtHouse on Instagram or send us a email at [email protected] . A very special thank you to all the Jewish artists who shared their art with us. We could not have completed this project without you. This edition of our magazine includes art from 25 amazing Jewish artists. We hope you enjoy reading our magazine as much as we enjoyed putting it together. We would love to hear your feed back on our magazine in the spirit of trying to improve and get better each edition. Please email or DM us your thoughts. Please note all images are owned by the artist and may not be used or copied without the express written consent of the artist.
Name of artist: Richard Rutner Location of artist: Austin, Texas Artist website: www.richardrutner.com Instagram: @rutnerstudio I am a painter and printmaker currently living and working in Austin, Texas. As an art student, I discovered the Surrealists, and adopted many of their techniques including automatic drawing, decalcomania and frottage to produce a vocabulary of forms in my paintings and drawings. My travels to Asia, Europe, Mexico, Canada, and across the U.S., in particular the American southwest, have inspired several bodies of work including mask images and surreal landscapes. I am fascinated with shape, negative space and organic patterns, and I use translucent and opaque colors to distinguish forms. I have exhibited in galleries and museums in the US and abroad, including Vorpal Gallery, N.Y., Gallery Varisella, Germany, Nassau County Museum of Fine Arts, N.Y. and Marfa Open Arts, TX. My work has been shown in numerous group exhibitions also, including East and West Austin Studio Tours, Guadalupe Arts Center/Austin, Contemporary Art Museum of Houston/Members Gallery, and several National Drawing Association “Selected Works” touring exhibitions. I attended the School of Visual Arts, NYC and received my MFA from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia and Rome, Italy. I have worked as a painting instructor, freelance curator, visual arts consultant, and was Coordinator of Cultural Arts for the Town of Hempstead, NY for 30 years before moving to Austin.
This series of pen and ink drawings was inspired by the Aleppo Codex, the earliest known text of the Bible handwritten by scribes over one thousand years ago. In 2017, I attended the Chagall exhibit in Montreal and, moved by his inspiration from his Jewish heritage, decided to research ancient Hebraic lettering as a connection to my own Jewish background. I discovered that the ancient writing was drawn on difierent animal hides, creating varied background color tones. I was enticed by the beauty of the form of each Hebrew letter and its strong graphic quality. When I enlarged the letters, they seemed organic, as if mimicking shapes from nature, and when placed together, they pushed the positive and negative space on the page. By overlapping black forms with sepia forms, I created tension in the composition, with the shapes competing for dominance. I explored size by layering larger letters over smaller ones, allowing the bold black letters to carve the space out on the surface. My intent was to avoid any meaning of letters or words, so that the viewer is drawn to the forms themselves, and to the elements of color, depth, and shape playing with each other. Name of art piece: Hebraic Fragment #1 Medium: Oil on linen Size of art piece: 66”x66” Piece available for sale
Name of art piece: Hebraic Fragment #2 Medium: Oil on linen Size of art piece: 50”x42” Piece available for sale
Name of art piece: Fragment Octet #3 Medium: Oil on board Size of art piece: 20”x16” Piece available for sale Name of art piece: Hebraic Fragment #4 Medium: Oil on board Size of art piece: 22”x16” Piece available for sale
Name of art piece: Hebraic Fragment #5 Medium: Pen & Ink Size of art piece: 30”x22” Piece available for sale
Name of art piece: Hebraic Fragment #6 Medium: Pen & Ink Size of art piece: 30”x22” Piece available for sale Name of art piece: Hebraic Fragment #7 Medium: Pen & Ink Size of art piece: 15”x11” Piece available for sale
Name of art piece: Hebraic Fragment #8 Medium: Pen & Ink Size of art piece: 15”x11” Piece available for sale Name of art piece: Hebraic Fragment #9 Medium: Pen & Ink Size of art piece: 15”x11” Piece available for sale
Name of art piece: Hebraic Fragment #10 Medium: Oil on board Size of art piece: 20”x16” Piece available for sale
Name of artist: Shmuel Zacharias Menachem Mendel Maxx Pashut Jabotinsky HaCohen Herenstein Location of artist: Jerusalem, Israel; Los Angeles, California Instagram: @pashut26 is a Rosh Yeshiva, rapper, standup comedian, author and artist. You can call him Pashut. Born 33 years ago on Hanuka and Christmas in New York, he moved to Israel at age 18, vigorously studied Talmud in a number of illustrious Israeli institutions, drove tanks in the IDF, studied philosophy in an Israeli liberal arts college and got kicked out of said school for writing a revolutionary thesis called “Jeudaemonia” (available on Amazon). Pashut promptly put out a second rap album called “Hasheminem” and to this day, sells copies of his Magnum Opus at shows. In 2020, when all Yeshivot in Israel closed down due to a media induced panic, Pashut opened Yeshivas Geulas Shaul, which is still functioning to this day Does the Jewish religion influence the approach you take to your art ? If so how ? My art is heavily influenced by Torah and imbued with Biblical and Talmudic themes and motifs, as you will see in the descriptions of the various installations.
Name of art piece: Rebbe Elisha Medium: spray paint, markers, pastels, crayons, and colered pencils on oaktag Size of art piece: 2.5 cubits by 1 and 1/12 cubits Piece available for sale "Rebbe Elisha" was created on a discarded piece of oaktag I found and saved for over a year, before deciding to depict a screenshot from a Talmudic tale which we were studying in Yeshivas Geulas Shaul from Tractate Chagiga 15a. Elisha ben Avuya is portrayed peering past the rakia (the dome-like barrier which sits as a cap between our flat realm and the spiritual galaxy above, also known as Gan Eden [Maharsha] and Olam Ha'Yetzira [Chaim Vetal]) using spray paint and markers and pastels and crayons and colored pencils. Elisha is shocked to see Matatron moseying around up there. I added a Merkava (Chariot) from the vision of Yechezkael, a central topic of the chapter, and a tree which tastes like its fruit, a nod to the Maharsha's interpretation that the story took place in the Garden of Eden.
Name of art piece: Burning Bushuasca Medium: markers, pastels, pens, and colered pencils on canvas Size of art piece: 20” x 28” Piece available for sale “Burning Bushuasca” was painted on a canvas 20x28” or somethin’, with colored pencils, markers, pens and pastels. It portrays what I saw after drinking Ayahuasca in the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. After throwing up into a bush, I discovered it flickering with bioluminescence, and it was –taking of whatever breath– I had left. There were also hallucinogenic snakes who offered to purchase my soul, which of course I declined. In the top left corner the Hebrew letters “ידבאמו” appear, which, if it was a word, would mean: “And that which causes me to lose myself.”
Name of art piece: וכז Medium: crayons on paper וכז) They Merited) was done with crayons at the children’s table at the Simchas Bas, 30 day celebration, of my sister's 2nd daughter: Ayla Rosie. She is in the hands of her father. Libby Roz, in her mothers hands, is 2. Both parents are giving thanks to Hashem from previously prepared remarks on their iPhones. The artwork’s title: וכז ,comes from Tractate Sotah 17a, which states that if a man and a woman merit, the Divine Presence rests between them. “Outstretched Arm” is the English translation of another one of my Hebrew titled artworks: היוטנ עורז . It was done with chalk and markers and a real twig which I lit on fire at a bonfire in Manchester. It shows a slit wrist wearing phylacteries. The two aphorisms scrawled on either side of the arm were written by a Mancunian witch named Melissa Burnand. There is also a chain which says LOVE. Name of art piece: עורז היוטנ Medium: chalk, markers, twig on paper Piece available for sale
“Ineff Bombs”is my holiest piece. Several Hebrew names of G-d, many of which shant be uttered (ineffable) are scattered on a grid of different colored spooky eyes peering out at the viewer. Why? You may read the names, but mustn’t give voice. Name of art piece: INEFF BOMBS Piece available for sale
“Sfiros of the Shiabud” means spheres of oppression. It was completed on Tisha Ba’av, the day both of our temples were destroyed. The Second Israelite temple in Jerusalem is burning, covered by ten entities which contributed to our beloved temple’s destruction, arranged in the formation of the 10 Sfiros. Keser is the all seeing eye, whose identity remains a mystery. Chachma: the Roman Empire and the Jesuits; Bina: the British Monarchy and The U.N. Logo, which is a map of flat earth; Daas: Satanists. You can ask me the rest on my Instagram @pashut26. The pillars which connect the right and left sefiros are the World Trade Centers. The middle sfiros are connected by a vaccine needle. He who understand understands. Name of art piece: Sfiros of the Shiabud Piece available for sale
“P.J. bn Superchill on the Lifted Coastlands” is the only self portrait of the bunch; made with chalk, colored pencils, pens, markers, glitter markers and some adhesive jewels. It shows your humble artist chiefing a fat joint on the coastlines in Miami Beach, Florida. My back is turned to the obelisk on Flagler Monument island, which I had, moments ago, stormed by motorboat and desecrated. This one was also on display at Beit HaChassid, and I don’t know why anyone would want a picture of me (besides the fact that all my art will be worth millions one day). Name of art piece: P.J. bn Superchill on the Lifted Coastlands Medium: chalk, colored pencils, pens, markers, glitter markers and some adhesive jewels Piece available for sale
“Lightbulb Firefly Vase” is oil paint on wood. It can be appreciated from all four sides, and the depiction varies depending on the vantage point. I actually painted this one in the great Solomam Suiza’s studio in Jerusalem during the deep dark plandemic days. Name of art piece: Lightbulb Fishtank Vase Medium: oil paint on wood Piece available for sale
Name of artist: Mx.Enigma Location of artist: The boro of Royals - Qweens Artist website: Behance.net/Mxenigma Instagram: @Mx.Enigma Mx.Enigma is a ritual artivist of Temani descent residing in NYC. They graduated from Brooklyn College in 2017 with a B.A in Media/Gender Studies & pursuing a MFA at Hunter College in 2023 in intergrated media arts.. Their work can’t be easily summarized, but is often focused on challenging our bias aka Sinat Chinam to be transformed into wider empathy for all godly creatures sufiering indifierence. Their work has been featured worldwide in fflm festivals, galleries and universities like UC Davis & UChicago, Jewish Art Salon, Havurah, MOMA, Bronx Museum, Tribeca Institute HBO & many more B”H. They are an artist alum of the Brandies Collegiate Institute at AJU in Simi Valley residency in July 2017. In 2019-2020 they worked with NYPL on a play production of “L’Chaim 2 Dykes” on Queer Ex-Hasidic Women who are struggling with their custody battles. Presently they manage a. Gallery for survivors of domestic violence @theahavaproject & represented by Fountain House Gallery, when they aren’t hosting radical Shabbat potlucks they are curating exhibitions on governors island on challenging our lookism.
Does the Jewish religion influence the approach you take to your art ? If so how ? As the rabbinical adage goes “once a yid, always a Jew, there’s no escaping it.” Whether antisemites or philosemitists remind you of your heritage, whether there’s surprised or enraged “wait, what, you’re Jewish?” The same line of invasive questioning filled with doubt, suspicion, and shock is the microaggression I experience by other White Ashkenazi Jews, typically in the west. Growing up in the diaspora of JewYork, we have allowed our cultural puns of limiting the Jewish expression to whitewashing, and our caricature identities in our wider media representation as Seinfeld puns. When you’re brown, Mizrahi, non-orthodox, and an independent thinker from an isolated shtetl, your Jewishness is targeted, criticized and expected to fit a box that is unrealistic for the slew of Jews of all hues, that diversify, beautify and reminds the worlds, that Am Yisrael comes in all colors and forms, as the grand architect HaShem has designed us all, to teach us to appreciate our differences and “one can learn from everyone, even those that are “other” than yourself.” At the same time I’m sick of all the labels of what type of Jew are you, just like my humanity isn’t any less than yourself, because my regalia is more vibrant than a traditional one. Now actually going back to the question, as a yid with a mix of adhd, ibs and stereotypical anxiety, when answering these forums, the central themes that inspire and empower my portfolio are “Gmiliut Chasidim, Zedek Tirdof & Tzedaka” I’ll explain. I’m a traveling curator, and I often select non profits that speaks to my values, whether disability rights or urban youth empowerment, to ensure that my creative touch, and my platform is not only speaking flamboyant volumes to my work being showcased, but centering back to donating to the cause, investing in the marginalized people and aiming for a future of Shalom Bayit for all of us to thrive In Olam Hazeh. When I was growing up in a more frum setting, the sermons of the rabbi were boring me often, and I’d often spend my meditation during Shmonei Esrei being ADHD on the zodiac signs of the Hebrew calendar on the ceiling learning more on my kaballistic horoscope, or the detail of window glass design like at Eldridge street synagogue. Today, I find more self more adjusted to renewal Jewish life, but I’ve learned to transform treasures from my past and turn it into an evolution of all Judaism can be like Queer Niggun circle, or vegan Chullent and even hosting as a ritual artist a misfit Seder for all wandering Jews and their Allies can find a welcoming Pesach table when other Jewish communities segregate and dispose Jews on the fringes for not fitting all their categorical makeup of being rightful neighbors welcomed unconditionally into our shuls & Mishpachot.
Name of art piece: Queering Yiddishkeit Medium: Photography Prints available for sale
Name of art piece: House The Homeless Medium: watercolor Prints available for sale Name of art piece: Malkat Hayofee Medium: painting Prints available for sale
Name of art piece: Trying 2 Finding Pride in Fascist World Medium: collage Prints available for sale
Name of art piece: Mapping out Neo-Nazis Medium: mural Prints available for sale Name of art piece: Bringing Bubby & Zeidy 2 life! Medium: graphic design Prints available for sale Name of art piece: Brewing the Chullent Pot Medium: pastels Prints available for sale
Name of art piece: Archiving My Mizrahi Ancestry Medium: graphic Prints available for sale Name of art piece: A Shiva Call 4 Trans Lives Medium: sculpture Prints available for sale Name of art piece: My Heeb lineage gives me Tikvah Medium: painting Prints available for sale
Name of artist: Meir Goukhman Location of artist: Brooklyn, NYC Artist website: www.meirgoukhman.com Instagram: @meirgoukhmanart Meir Goukhman was born in Moscow, Russia in 1963. He majored in Fine Arts at the Moscow Fine Arts College and upon graduation taught painting in art school while his works were featured in many regional and national exhibitions. When Meir Goukhman left the former Soviet Union for the United States in December 1991, he had to leave his expansive works behind. Since then, he has been faced with the challenging task of recreating his artistic world on new soil. Meir Goukhman works with a broad range of media to evoke the warmth of the long-ago shtetl in his unique Russian futurism style. Inspired both by the works of Vladimir Mayakovsky and Hassidic mysticism, Goukhman’s vast body of work is oft-compared to that of the famous modernist Chagall. Goukhman’s art refiects the music and movement found in the everyday, as his evocative brushstrokes reveal the melody of nuances inherent in traditional Jewish life. Does the Jewish religion influence the approach you take to your art ? If so how ? The Jewish religion heavily influences my art, as I draw from my experience of living as a Jew in Soviet Russia for much of my work. I have paintings inspired by Jewish holidays, Jewish lifecycle events, and familial tales of Jewish survival despite persecution. I aim to depict Jewish joy in much of my work
Name of art piece: Tashlich Medium: Oil and Acryli paint Size of art piece: 36”x36” Piece available for sale It depicts a scene of the ancient Jewish ritual of Tashlich, or praying for absolution near a large body of water, which is performed before the high holiday of Yom Kippur. The bridge in the painting is a homage to Monet's Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies, and the stop sign represents the significance of the moment, where one is meant to stop and contemplate their life.
Name of art piece: Tea Drinking with Goats Medium: Oil and Acrylic paint Size of art piece: 18”x16” Piece available for sale Tea Drinking with Goats was painted in oil and acrylic. This painting was inspired by my great-uncle’s escape from Belarus in WWII. While fleeing from German soldiers, a kind village woman took him in, served him tea outside amongst the goats, and showed him the path through the woods to safety by following the stars.
Name of art piece: New York, New York Medium: Oil and Acrylic paint Size of art piece: 24”x36” Piece available for sale When I first came to NYC from the Soviet Union in 1991, one of the first things I did was visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was particularly impressed by the Egyptian section, and envisioned NYC like an empire, similar to the great ancient Egypt. In this painting, I depicted a Jewish man riding across the sky in an Egyptian-style chariot, wearing a crown similar to the ones worn by ancient Egyptian gods, which was inspired by the Twin Towers. The Twin Towers were still standing at the time I started this painting, but now, in a post-9/11 world, this painting represents my tremendous respect for people who sacrificed everything on that terrible day.
Name of artist: Mayer Frank Location of artist: Pompano Beach, Florida Instagram: @Havaton_Design Mayer Frank is a mulit-media artist based out of South Florida. Most of his work comes from him reading books on Kabbalah and Chasidus and then translating these concepts into images. Since Mayer is a visual learner this not only helps him understand these concepts but also allows him to express them to the viewer. As a Jewish artist he saw the need for a way to build a community of Jewish artists as well as a way to help create opportunities for them so he founded the The Jewish Art House in 2021. Does the Jewish religion influence the approach you take to your art ? If so how ? Yes. The biblical prohibition against creating graven images is a major influence as to how I approach any art piece I create. As I studied what actualy constitutes “graven images” I saw that images done to teach a concept or show someone what something looks like is ok. There was a great Rabbi in Israel who drew images of the moon during its different phases. He was questioned as to how this was ok to do. His response was that this was done solely to determine the new moon and was only shown to witnesses coming to him saying they saw the new moon. Imagine trying to determine what the moon looked like through words alone. I take this idea into the images I create and use my art to express what would be impossible or extremly difficult to express through words alone.
Name of art piece: The hidden world of Kabbalah Medium: Oil paint on Canvas Size of art piece: 24”x36” Piece available for sale
Name of art piece: Portrait of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov Medium: Oil paint on Canvas Size of art piece: 12”x12” Piece available for sale Name of art piece: Lighting the Shabbat Candles Medium: Lino Print on paper Size of art piece: 4”x6” Piece available for sale
Name of art piece: Feelings Medium: Ink and Water color on water color paper Size of art piece: 9”x12” Piece available for sale
Name of artist: Matana Ramati Location of artist: New Jersey Instagram: @matana_intuitiveart I am a mixed media and watercolor artist and I also make jewelry. Www.majanajewelry.etsy.com Does the Jewish religion influence the approach you take to your art ? If so how ? I’m an Orthodox Jew. I became orthodox following my artistic development as it all started with a prayer. I walked for direction and was dreaming I was making jewelry. I started to make jewelry and paintings and that made me aware of G-d’s amazing gifts to us. I see beauty everywhere and I believe it’s all a divine gift and created for us to see the divine qualities in everything.
Name of art piece: A Child Prays at the Wall Medium: Water color on paper Size of art piece: 12”x9” Piece available for sale Based on a photo by Eliezer Brown A Child Praying at the Kotel.
Name of art piece: Shabbos Candle Light Medium: Water color Name of art piece: And my temple shall be a house of prayer for all nations Medium: Water color and mixed media on canvas Size of art piece: 36”x48”
Name of artist: Marina Bardash Nebro Location of artist: Queens, New York Instagram: @marinanebro I have been drawing, painting, stitching, etc. for as long as I can remember, but I have always found it dificult to label myself as an artist. For that reason, I think of myself as a creative. I am inspired by the depth of my emotions, my lived experiences, poetry and texts, history, and interpersonal relationships. Over the past several years, my art practice has focused on textiles and ffber – cross stitching, quilting, embroidering, crocheting, and knitting. Does the Jewish religion influence the approach you take to your art ? If so how ? More so than the Jewish religion, Jewish history, culture, and existence does play a role in some of the artwork that I produce. I am inspired by Jewish text that resonates with my lived experience, and would love to further explore Jewish visual motifs, artistic practices, and customs from around the world.
Name of art piece: Leaves Medium: cotton yarn, scrap fabric, embroidery floss, enamel pins (@thegraymuse) Size of art piece: 5” x 7.5” each (approx.) This diptych represents two sides of one coin – the yearning for rootedness and connectedness versus the yearning for wistful wandering. Both interpreted quotes are sourced from Jewish texts: Pirkei Avot 3:17 and Kohelet 1:7. The meaning of the artwork is retained whether or not the two leaves are displayed together.
Name of art piece: Who-Am-I Medium: Aida cross stitch fabric, embroidery thread, tulle, mylar, sewing thread Size of art piece: 8” x 12” (approx.) This piece is my submission to a larger community art project titled “Airing Out the ‘Dirty’ Laundry” by Andrea Downs (@womenslaundry). “How has your idea of being a woman living in America changed throughout your life?” This was the initial prompt that sparked the creation of this peace. I realized that my anxiety, occasional depression, and unclear sense of self comes from internal and external pressures to be a singular, perfect version of Marina. Through the making of this piece, I continue to work on accepting myself in my entirety, to learn to love all aspects of who I am, even when I ask who-am-I? Parts of my Jewish-self shine forth through this work: the embroidered Stars of David and the tassels that resemble tzitzit.
Name of artist: Luda Miriam Shulman Location of artist: Passaic, NJ Instagram: @Luda_Shulman Luda Shulman was born in Ukraine and began to paint at a young age. She went to art school for 8 years before coming to the United States. In her college years she began to study at Hebrew U of Jerusalem and began her discovery of the Jewish heritage. This journey also led her to explore Jewish history and philosophy within her art. Through her paintings Luda tries to express deep and joyous feelings about fundamental Jewish concepts and places in Israel. Luda resides in NJ with her husband and four children. Does the Jewish religion influence the approach you take to your art ? If so how ? Since I have discovered Judaism in my college years, I try to convey spiritual experiences in my art. I often see the hand of The Creator in our surrounding nature and wish to reflect the special beauty in my works. I particularly enjoy painting landscapes of the land of Israel because of its unique holiness.
Name of art piece: Scent of summer Medium: oil paint on canvas Size of art piece: 18”x24” Summer is a time of realizing our expectations and hopes after the school year of hard work. It is a time when we would like to exhale and enjoy life. Name of art piece: Pathways in Hebron Medium: acrylic and oil paint on canvas Size of art piece: 18”x24” Piece available for sale Pathways on which Avrahan Avinu walked.
Name of art piece: Queen Ester Medium: oil paint on canvas Size of art piece: 16”x20” Queen Ester before entering to speak with Achashverosh. She is walking as if on chess glass and her steps will shape the future of the Jewish Nation. HaShem, represented by the Hebrew letter Aleph, is One, is always with us, even if not always obvious. She is praying and covering her face, Hester Panim. Jewish nation is also symbolized as the moon and the original decree is changed from red to a clear and bright moon. Name of art piece: Purim Medium: gold leaf, acrylic, and oil paint on canvas Size of art piece: 22”x28” Piece available for sale Hebrew letters with which the words and the world are created channel the energy into our material world. The colors of the rainbow are 7 just like our physical world of 7 days a week, 7 musical notes etc. The mask has many meanings, to each person it would be different. HaShem can be revealed if you are willing to see His presence.
Name of art piece: Return to the land of your soul Medium: acrylic and oil paint on canvas Size of art piece: 24”x36” Geula - return of the exiles home. This is Kever Rochel and the birds are the 12 shvatim returning to the land of Israel from all the corners of the word. They are all different, as they have lived in many countries, speak different languages, have developed unique customs and wear distinct clothes. Some are quite strong while others are weak, yet they are all on the way to homeland. Name of art piece: Kotel and its pilgrims Medium: gold leaf, acrylic, and oil paint on canvas Size of art piece: 20”x24” Piece available for sale Kotel at the time of Rosh haShana. Even the clouds, just like with shofar, proclaim HaShem is the King.
Name of art piece: Odecha LeOlam Medium: gold leaf, acrylic, and oil paint on canvas Size of art piece: 18”x24” From Tehilim: chapter 52, pasuk 11: ךָידֶֽיסִ חֲ דגֶנ ֶ בוֹט ־יכִ ך ָ מְ שִׁ הו ֶּקַ אֲֽוַ תָ יש ִׂ עָ יכ ִּ םלָ וֹעל ְ ך ָ דְ וֹאֽ : I will thank You forever and ever when You have done [this], and I will hope for Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your devoted ones. Havdala candle which we light at the end of Shabbat is at the same time the end and beginning. End of the holy Shabbos and the beginning of new week. To the right of the candle are colors of Shefa (Abundance) of the new chapter that lays ahead of us.
Name of art piece: Winds of Galilee Medium: oil paint on canvas Size of art piece: 18”x24” Beauty of Northern Israel. Name of art piece: Ten pomegranates Medium: acrylic paint on canvas Size of art piece: 16”x20” Pieceavailable for sale Name of art piece: Ani ledodi vedodi li Medium: gold leaf, oil paint on canvas Size of art piece: 24”x36” Pieceavailable for sale Abstract representation of Shechina in form of ten pomegranates and letters. Shavuot - time of the union of Jewish people and HaShem. The seeds are our mitzvot.
Name of artist: Linda Pearl Izan Location of artist: Cheshire – United Kingdom Artist website: https://www.axisweb.org/p/lindhuiew/ https://www.prismtextiles.co.uk/linda-pearl-izan Instagram: @lindapearlizan I am a mixed media practitioner based in the United Kingdom; my work is exhibited nationally and internationally with work highlighted on social media, research papers and within printed publications. In my present practice I have actively chosen to work with and develop textile techniques and skills although my work is not exclusively within this area. My portfolio demonstrates that I am also keen to access and exploit mixed media, ceramics, photography and digital media. The major inffuences for my practice come from political, environmental, gender and cultural starting points. An idea can hover around for several months or indeed years before the translation of that idea into a body of work, conversely when responding to a fast moving political or social issue, ideas are translated swiftly into creative responses. At this point process become the deciphering agent. The choice of a particular textile medium is always cogent to the message that is being explored. If the message within the work is focused on the disposable material society, I will use gold leaf or marbled velvet to emphasise what is valued and what is not. When the narrative is about human rights, I will interweave text within the work to ensure that the message is explicit; turning stitch into commentary. I embrace new technologies in partnership with time honoured textile methods. My creative process calls on digital imagery, appliqué, hand and machine embroidery. I am a member of the prestigious international exhibiting group Prism Textiles and the European Textile Network, both links provide a link to the wider creative community.
Does the Jewish religion influence the approach you take to your art ? If so how ? My Jewish identity is at the forefront of my being. I see the world through this prism. It is hard to ignore the hovering issues of being ‘Othered’ by society and to have a story not of your own making touted. I set out to be bold in my expression of Jewish identity and challenge misinterpretations of Jewish history and the present leanings towards a corrupted view of Jewish contribution to society. I do this through my art practice, interpretation of the present and, importantly, the legacy I have been gifted with from my antecedents.
Name of art piece: ‘Myer; From Now until the End of Time’ Medium: Felt, cotton-canvas, digital print, hand embroidery, free motion machine embroidery Size of art piece: Each ellipse Width: 41cm Length:43cm ‘Myer; From Now until the End of Time’ explores family history and tradition. The work pursues the unlocking of time within the specific family ties to a Seder and how the senses are evoked by the order, symbolism and corporeal recollection of the ceremonial plate as a centrepiece of the family table.