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Jewish Artists Salon Exhibition

by Rebecca Honig Friedman

Siona Benjamin, "Esther"
Yona Verwer, "Temple Talismans: Stanton Shul I"

Here's info about an exciting Jewish art exhibition opening this weekend in New York (full disclosure, I am friends with, or married to, or acquainted with several of the artists, but that in no way detracts from the beauty and power of their art work. It may even add to it.)
[ADDENDUM: This exhibition was curated by Joel Silverstein and Richard McBee.]

While this is the first exhibit by the Jewish Art Salon, this exhibit includes established artists such as Tobi Kahn, who has exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum, Mierle Ukeles at the Ronald Feldman Gallery, Mark Podwal & Archie Rand, along with the many up-and-coming artists, who are all participants in the Salon. (That includes Yona Verwer and Siona Benjamin, whose work can be seen above and to the right; Menachem Wecker, of Jewess' brother-blog Iconia; Richard McBee, who writes an art column for The Jewish Press; and, of course, David Friedman, my own life partner, amongst others - RHF).The pioneering importance of this show is that it corrals for the first time a diverse and balanced range of contemporary Judaic-influenced visual expression.

In the book of Genesis God creates man using the word Tzelem, meaning likeness. And yet the Hebrew word Tzelem does not imply a visual correspondence. Rather it denotes intelligence, and is bound up with concepts of morality, language and a unique spiritual paradigm.
In reflection of this paradox, the Jewish Art Salon presents their premier exhibition, with art by Salon members demonstrating a bold vision of contemporary Jewish Art and creativity.
The exhibition is at the Stanton Street Synagogue, a 96-year-old NYC historic landmark setting, and runs through May 27th, 2009, with panel discussions every Sunday.
Work by member-artists of the Salon will be represented in a broad variety of styles and subject matter relating to culture, religion and philosophy.

Participating artists: Ita Aber, Siona Benjamin, Suzanne Benton, John Bradford, Shoshannah Brombacher, Raphael Eisenberg, Merav Ezer, David Friedman, Tobi Kahn, Rachel Kanter, Tine Kindermann, Robert Kirschbaum, Diana Kurz, Richard McBee, Jill Nathanson, Mark Podwal, Archie Rand, Deborah Rosenthal, Susan Schwalb, Janet Shafner, Adi Shniderman, Joel Silverstein, Adele Shtern, Mierle Ukeles, Yona Verwer, David Wander, Menachem Wecker, Laurie Wohl, Elliot Wolfson.

The Jewish Art Salon is an open and unique inter-disciplinary group of artists. We are dedicated to the preservation of an open forum where all opinions and viewpoints are listened to and respected. Together, we are working to create a Jewish art community where work and issues are discussed and information and resources are shared. Visit us at www.JewishArtSalon.com.

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