Not Just A Number
As a grandchild of Holocaust survivors, this series of paintings is rooted in a deeply personal journey that I believe is also embedded in the collective consciousness of so many friends, family members, and humanity in general.
These works were inspired by the photographs taken by Roman Vishniac during the 1930's in Eastern Europe.
He repeatedly traveled from Germany to Eastern Europe with increased urgency, determined to capture every aspect of Jewish Eastern European life.
The images that he took survived, whereas we can assume most of his subjects did not.
For as long as I can remember, I have been gripped by the world that existed before it was destroyed.
In my mind, it was a world that was black and white, frozen in time.
It is hard to imagine it in color.
For this reason, I have chosen to use a monochromatic palette with only accents of color. The paintings are purposely large to deliver the most powerful impact on the viewer.
Six million people murdered means six million individuals with deeply personal stories.
Artist Statements
Each painting in this collection was created from carefully selected photographs of Jewish children from pre-Holocaust Europe. Together, they reflect the many facets of Jewish life before it was forever changed;
Moments of joy, hardship, and ordinary childhood.
The innocence of these children stands as both a tribute and a reminder of all that was taken.
Through these portraits, I seek to preserve the fleeting purity of these children's lives and to capture the simple beauty of just being. They are unaware of the tragedy that would soon unfold.
My hope is that viewers will not only see their faces, but also feel their humanity, their curiosity, and absorb their light.
These photos blend abstraction with photorealism. The abstract forms suggest that time has blurred, while the lifelike expressions invite one to connect personally with each child. Each brush stroke breathes life into these historical images so that the children may once again be seen, felt, and remembered.
It has always been my vision and hope that this series would find a home in a museum; a venue where those who wish to understand and reflect upon the Holocaust
This would be an honor and tribute to their memories.
If you would like to learn more about the artist and works featured in this exhibition, we welcome your inquiry. Please reach out to us to discuss acquisitions, private viewings.