Visions and Versions of Jacob, is a series of 18 (The numeric value of Chai (חי) is the Hebrew word for life) fired clay heads. They reflect the evolution of my art making from an increasing dimensionality on canvas through the use of found objects to a fully three dimensional exploration in clay. Inspired by the Beit Midrash sessions with Ruby Namdar/ LABA fellowship, I examine the question of what it means to be a Jew after October 7th. Jacob’s head becomes a constantly reimagined vessel to explore Jewish mysticism, strength and fragility, and to pay homage to the ancient wisdom of my ancestors, the Jewish People. They are a push and pull between the ancient and the new. Each head creates a different visceral reaction in the viewer yet they are tied together through a reoccurring motif of ladders with 18 rungs.
My Fellowship with LABA/NYC has enabled me to use a new artistic medium to delve into the ancient wisdom of Jewish texts. Through this exploration I have found inspiration and new purpose in my artmaking.
