The print series Nefesh Ami (The Soul Of My People) uses elementary shapes and assigns to them traditional symbolic meanings: the circle is used as "the whole", "the unbroken", for "never-ending life" and for "consecrated or ceremonial space"; the pyramid represents "life force" and "power", and so forth. These forms are combined with the figures of the persons close to me, and the images are made available to me as I meditate. I work intuitively, and perhaps I should say that I understand the images more for the way they "feel" than the way they look.
     
Nefesh Ami III  1991
Watercolor Monotype
4-7/8" x 3-5/8"
Nefesh Ami IV   1991
Watercolor Monotype
4-7/8" x 3-11/16"
Nefesh Ami VII   1991
Watercolor Monotype
4-7/8" x 3-5/8"
     
Nefesh Ami X   1991
Watercolor Monoprint
8-7/8" x 6"
Nefesh Ami XII   1991
Watercolor Monoprint
8-7/8" x 6"
Nefesh Ami XV   1991
Watercolor Monoprint
8-7/8" x 6"

The Siman Nefesh Series is based on the notion that a Jew is known by his or her name, not by their physical appearance. Some Jewish mystics say that when they meditate, the faces of the spirits are cloaked as if wrapped in gauze. The figures depicted in the series (with their Hebrew names across their faces) are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Joshua.
Siman Nefesh I      1991
Watercolor Monoprint  9" x 13-5/8"
Siman Nefesh II      1991
Watercolor Monoprint    9" x 13-5/8"
   
Siman Nefesh VI      1991
Watercolor Monoprint   9 " x 13-5/8"
Siman Nefesh IX      1991
Watercolor Monoprint   9" x 13-5/8"
 
The medieval German folktale of a monster brought to life from a mound of clay is the basis of the illustrative Golem Series. To bring the clay to life, the Hebrew word emet (truth) was inscribed on his head; the first letter was removed to spell met (death) when the figure was killed.
Golem II      1991
Watercolor Monotype   7"x11-3/8"
Golem III      1991
Watercolor Monotype   7"x11-3/8"


The Hear, O Israel Series arose out of my concern about the diminishing number of Jews across the world, the result of assimilation, intermarriage, conversion and other forces. Each print has a top row that represents a full generation, with the subsequent rows becoming less fully populated. The shema is printed across each background. My hope would be that even a modest effort like mine would spark discussion that could contribute to the strengthening of Jewish identity.
   
Hear, O Israel I      1991
Watercolor Monoprint   12" x 12"
Hear, O Israel II      1991
Watercolor Monoprint   12" x 12"
   
Hear, O Israel IV      1991
Watercolor Monoprint   12" x 12"
Hear, O Israel V    1991
Watercolor Monoprint   12" x 12"
   
Hear, O Israel VI      1991
Watercolor Monoprint   12" x 12"
Hear, O Israel VII      1991
Watercolor Monoprint   12" x 12"
   
When I visited The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the concept for Hamakom was born. I found myself contemplating the destroyed Second Temple which rests under the foundation of the Dome. The chine colle technique allowed me to "ghost image" the Second Temple behind the Dome of the Rock, slightly blurring the distinction between the two but also simultaneously blending them together. The two inscriptions, written in Arabic and alternately repeating, say "Remembrance" and "Please Honor Us".
   
Hamakom (The Place) I       1991
Hamakom (The Place) II      1991
Monotype & Chine Colle   13.5" x 9"
Monotype & Chine Colle   13.5" x 9"

 
 
 


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