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Jewish Art Now

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our mission is to build an appreciation for contemporary art in Jewish communities and build respect for Jewish art in the contemporary art world. Jewish tradition states that the world rests on three pillars: torah (study), avodah (worship), and g’meelut Chasadim (acts of Kindness). Jewish art now adapts these pillars for our motto: “Create. educate. Inspire.”

By showcasing contemporary Jewish artists from around the world in a unified place, Jewish art now provides a guide for Jewish art as a whole. the website Jewishartnow.com features the latest news, reviews, upcoming events and resources for our community of artists and art appreciators. the latest social media is incorporated allowing distinctive contributors to participate in the conversation, each lending unique insights and experiences.

In making this network as comprehensive as possible, Jewish art now often collaborates with other organizations, museums, galleries, and religious institutions to create programming and provide platforms for new Jewish artists to have their work cultivated, exhibited, and appreciated. these interactive art shows, gallery exhibitions, and educational lectures connect to audiences of diverse ages and backgrounds.

throughout history the arts have played many roles in sustaining Judaism and making ancient traditions relevant in evolving times. having never been confined by geographic or political boundaries, Jewish culture can engage the globalized world in especially relevant ways. this balance of tradition and modernity is the core of Jewish art now.

a fresh perspective on the convergence of contemporary art and Judaism.

Detail of Finding home# 56 “Zakhm” 14” x 18” Gouache and gold leaf on paper 2002siona Benjamin, www.artsiona.comrepresented by Flomenhaft Gallery in New York. www.flomenhaftgallery.comcom

sIona BenJamInmumbai, India; montclair, new Jersey

Siona Benjamin loves Indian miniatures, gem-infused colors like Byzantine gold and cobalt blue, and illuminated manuscripts and of all stripe (Jewish, Christian, Hindu miniatures). Her upbringing in Indian society, as well as her coming of age in schools both Catholic and Zoroastrian,

IndIan megIllahEsther Megillah, 2009. Gouache on parchment, 11.5 x 180 in.

Moshe’s Staff, 2008. Linocut, 9 x 11 in.

moshe’s staffKsenIJa peCarICteaneck, new Jersey

Pecaric was born in the former Yugoslavia, and schooled in art—first in Belgrade and later in Prague and New York City. She earned a Masters in Poland, came back to America, raised two kids. Along the way, Pecaric has perfected a linocut technique that is highly detailed; painted dreamscape-like, color-rich paintings inspired by biblical narratives; and generally found her comfort zone, artistically, between her inner Jewish life and outward symbology.

Moses’ Staff, for instance (a linocut from 2008) interprets the famous face-off between Moses and Pharoah in Egypt, here translating the story of how Moshe’s staff miraculously transformed itself into a snake within an abstract miasm of crisp, white lines and densely inked surfaces. Adam and Eve (year) likewise embeds the two titular figures from Genesis in a rounded composition—focusing them, somewhat surprisingly, on the figure of the serpent, rather than on each other.

Pecaric brings the experience of her Eastern upbringing to Western shores, much like she brings her love of Midrashic

Yitzchok Moully is a self-described “Rabbi by day, artist by night,” born in Melbourne, Australia, raised by former hippies, and today serving as Youth Rabbi at the Chabad Center in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. Of his printmaking process he remarks, “My images are built on photographs. I work exclusivity with my own images and clean them to reflect what I have in my mind; then I silkscreen the images, painting layers under the screened layer.” The results are decidedly Warholian—thought they take the Pop master’s sense of appropriation into a territory he could scarcely have imagined: one where ‘real-world’ stuff (a martini glass, a cigarette lighter) rubs up against the

hassIdIC pop art yItzChoK moullyBasking ridge, new Jersey

Orange Socks, 2010. Acrylic on canvas, 10 x 30 in.

Ritual Items, 2009. Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 48 in.

religious (an old Hasid engrossed in Torah; a pair of Sabbath candlesticks).

Case in point is “Ritual Objects,” a series from TKYEAR that features ten separate canvasses, each of which juxtaposes an object commonly used for holy acts with a so-called mundane object. “Hassidic thought teaches us that everything in the world is a tool to make the world a better place, no one thing necessarily has a better ability in doing so.” By comparing the holy and mundane objects, he draws attention to the fact that everything has potential to elevate the world to a holier level. Although one may scoff at using a martini glass as a kiddush cup, there is no reason not to go beyond common practice. Pop Art itself is based in the notion that the simple things in life, which are often taken for granted, should be blown up to attention-grabbing proportions for the sake of making a statement about our world. It’s only a little leap of faith away to take on the religious along with the secular, to ask us to consider how G-d might manifest in the real world.

“Orange Socks” is a deeply personal continuation of this theme; in it we see a row of Hassidic men dressed in traditional black and white, save for one: a Hassidic man wearing orange socks—a guy,

One does not need to overthrow society in order to find personal

My work is meant to show the relevance and timelessness of the Hassidic way to exist within the world.

Holiness should be accessible.

our print publication, Jewish art now vol. 1, is an anthology of the best and brightest cutting-edge artists, featuring a unique range across the religious and cultural spectrum. we feature multitudes of disciplines from street artists to sculptors, filmmakers and architects. the publication is a primer for anyone exploring Jewish art for the first time and acts as a yearbook for this ever-growing innovative group. readers who are deeply invested in the life of their Jewish communities come to Jewish art now because they care about what happens when Jewish artists take a look at themselves, and then turn their gaze outward.

we are currently fundraising to complete the production of our print anthology book.

your contribution allows us to complete the bok and distribute to aspiring artists around the world.

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Jewish Art Now Vol. 1the ANtholoGY Book

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