My weaving/mixed-media assemblages are deeply rooted in the power of Judaism, nature & the sacred responses of the spirit. They are my way of praising God and reconnecting to an ancient tradition which hallows and sanctifies life and creation. These artworks also reflects themes that are connected to my committment to the earth, peace and healing. I incorporate Hebrew lettering from Psalms, Torah, blessings and prayers to illuminate my one-of-a-kind artworks, using archivally tested materials that are strong, luminous and extremely durable. In addition to my exhibit series, I create VESSELS OF LIGHT, that celebrate Jewish life cycle events for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, Jews returning to their tradition, birthdays, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, new homes, and rabbinic, donor, and dedication plaques of honor and remembrance. My intention is that these artworks be a visual pathway of connection and spiritual renewal.
Born in Chicago and currently living in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Massachussets, I have been a visual artist/crafts-woman for over thirty-years. My studies were at the Art Institute of Chicago and with Rabbis Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, Arnold Wolf, Alan Berg, Debra Zecher, Everett Gendler, Gershon Winkler and the Kabbalah Centre. My art work is in home, synagogue, gallery, museum, corporate, organization and private collections in the U.S.A. and Israel. A frequent lecturer and workshop leader on Jewish art as an ancient and contemporary source of spiritual identity, renewal and healing, I returned to Judaism, a 'ba'al teshuvah', through the act of co-creating art in the world to reflect God's oneness.
My series, "V'I'mo-tei-nu (And Our Mothers)" has traveled extensively thoughout the U.S.A. and my seminal work "Women at the Wall : A Call for Peace" was featured at the United Nations exhibit, "Miracles of Peace" in 2003. I am a member of The American Guild of Judaic Artists; Chairperson of the Advisory Board Art Committee of Hadassah-Brandeis Women's Research Institute at Brandeis University; board member of The Women's Interfaith Institute of the Berkshires; and am included in the archives of The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C. I was a featured artist in the ABC-TV special "Embracing Judaism: Looking In, Looking Up, Looking Out"; and am included in 'Who's Who of American Women', 2000-2008. My newest series, "VESSELS OF LIGHT/ VESSELS OF HEALING..." was on exhibit at the United Nations in New York City in January, 2007. I was the featured artist at Mayyim Hayyim Gallery in Newton, MA in an exhibit entitled, " LOOK TO THE EARTH AND IT SHALL LEAD YOU..." from February-May, 2007. "V'YAHI OR" (And Let There Be Light) was exhibited from June-July, 2008 at The Hevreh Jewish Congregation in Gt. Barrington, MA. I will be part of a juried group exhibit "NU ART: Artists Celebrate Jewish Culture" in September-October, 2008 at The Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, Pittsfield, Ma. In October, 2008-January, 2009 ,one woman show at The Gallery Lev Shalem at the Woodstock Jewish Congregation, Woodstock, NY., "LOOK TO THE EARTH AND IT SHALL LEAD YOU..."; Berkshire Women in the Arts, Simon's Rock College, March, 2009; and "LOOK RO THE EARTH AND IT SHALL LEAD YOU...", The Becket Arts Center, Becket, MA, July, 2009, one-woman exhibit.
You can also see some of my work locally at Concepts of Art and at Kripalu Center Shop both in Lenox, MA.
In joy and l'shalom, peace, Wendy A. Rabinowitz
www.LIVINGTHREADSJUDAICA1.citymax.com
405 East New Lenox Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201
413.281.2399
Note: Hebrew and English quotes used within the artwork-Text by Marcia Falk, from The Book of Blessings, New Jewish Prayers for Daily Life, the Sabbath, and the New Moon Festival, copyright (c) 1996 Marcia Lee Falk.