This sculptural work is born out of a need to express my internal shift from fear and insecurity to a sense of belonging and connectedness.
I recently had the opportunity to explore my Sephardic heritage in Bitola, Macedonia (formerly Monastir in the Ottoman Empire). Over 7000 Jews, including my ancestors, were held in the Monopol tobacco factory before being transported to Treblinka for their execution in March of 1943. As I entered the factory, the energy of trapped souls overwhelmed me. I saw horrified people of all ages, heard frightened voices, smelled fear and I sensed panic, chaos and desperation. For the first time, I felt a deep connection with my ancestors and the atrocities they endured. Their message to me was clear and strong, they wanted to be released but not forgotten. I was relieved to learn that this confined space was to be dismantled and honored in a respectful manner elsewhere.
Four figures, the Elder, the Mother, the Child, and the Baby, are a physical embodiment of my felt experience. Although I have never worked with wire or in 3 dimensions, I was intuitively drawn to work with this cold, stark medium. The properties of each form of wire are instrumental in conveying my message. Working in multi-dimensions allows for expression of the simplicity as well as the complexity of life.
The Elder:
The Elder is rooted through his legs and supported by his cane. Despair and starvation are manifest in his stooped skeletal figure. Barbed wire makes up his pelvis, he is not intended to bring more Jews into the world. He wears the Star of David badge, typically made of 2 yellow triangles, on his arm. This badge, required for Jews to wear during the Nazi era, was intended to humiliate and stigmatize. Ultimately, the badge aided in rounding up Jews for deportation. The sack on his back is full of gold wire mesh triangles representing loved ones lost to genocide. The names of my ancestors are written on many of these. The elder’s heart is wrapped in black wire symbolizing suffering. He watches over the mother, child and baby offering wisdom and guidance.
The Child:
A sense of playfulness and freedom is felt in the child’s hair, clothing and kite. The kite is made up of 4 gold triangles, mirroring the gold triangles of the Star of David. The contrast of the airy elements and the coiling barb wire remind us how a child’s spirit is quelled by confinement.
The Mother:
The maternal figure, the source of life, is grounded and strong, as portrayed by her sturdy metal frame. Her resilience and flexibility are shown by the flowing wire mesh that makes up her clothing and hair. Anguish exudes from her pleading posture. Black wire snakes through her throat representing the constricting power of fear. Red wire flows from the mother’s heart nurturing the new life growing in her womb. The fetus reminds us that the Jewish legacy prevails despite Hitler’s intentions.
The Baby:
The shimmer and softness of the fine wire mesh symbolize the innocence and purity of a baby. The figure is loosely sewn with gold wire conveying vulnerability. Its heart is untainted, without black wire. Outreaching arms show dependence on the maternal figure. The baby’s hands and head are purposefully left open to what the future holds.
The collective experience of our ancestors is embedded in our DNA. That legacy along with our personal choices and interactions allow for continuous growth and understanding of the world around us. Fear, ignorance and insecurity often lead to misunderstanding and conflict. Through my personal story and artwork, I hope to inspire others to go beyond their comfort zones, shed preconceived notions that divide us, and embrace all of humanity. We all belong and we are all connected.