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The JAI is an artist-run organization committed to fostering visual art by Jewish artists and promoting dialogue about Jewish identity and related issues among members of the arts community.
Mission and History
JAI was originally conceived by the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles in partnership with the University of Southern California Casden Institute and the USC Roski School of Fine Arts.
Learn about our past and our plans for the future.
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Carol Es: Visions, Dreams, Patterns and Memories
March 1 - April 7, 2010
Slutzky Art Gallery, Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County
1 Federation Way, Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92603
Opening Reception: Sunday, March 2 - 5 p.m.
I grew up as a laborer for my family in the Los Angeles apparel industry. This seems to be the thread that flows through the story in my work. Materials from the garment manufacturing trade and what I consider genetic dreams have all crept into my art to create a type of personal redemption.
In recent years, I have been using pattern shapes to create Hebrew texts as a way of connecting to a source of returning home. I scrape together what bits of knowledge and memory I have of my roots and cultural heritage, as I missed out on some of this as a child and my childhood in general because of having to work at such a young age. For this reason, I tend to revisit childhood and childlike ideals and try to transform these severed connections into visionary works of art.
Lately I have been obsessed with my Mitochondrial DNA inheritance (the female line of my genealogy), and believe there is a genetic calling to my faith which is intertwined with my personality, my curiosity, my duty, sense of humor, tenacity, etc. I actually believe my crazy, female ancestors prop me up and guide me towards what is right and true. At times, they guide my hand in art, and sit with me in silent moments. There is also a meditation that takes place in the repetitive motions of cutting patterns, sewing, and marking garments in the manufacturing trade that is not dissimilar to prayer. I use these same techniques in my art making to this day and it brings me closer to my family, and in many ways, closer to G-d.
For more about the artist visit: www.esart.com
Macrocosms & New Topographies
Gary Frederick Brown • David Jang • Diane Silver • Christine Weir
February 27 - April 2, 2010
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 27, 6-9 pm
Glendale Public Library, Associates of Brand Library, 1601 West Mountain Street, Glendale, CA 91201
818-548-2051
Tue/Thu 12 – 8 pm; Wed 12 – 6 pm; Fri/Sat 10 am – 5 pm
George Billis Gallery LA
2716 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
T: 310-838-3685
F: 310-838-3438
Between Washington & Venice on S. La Cienega Blvd. in the Culver City art district.
Visit our New York City gallery located in the heart of the Chelsea Art District.
BODY AND SOUL, an exhibition of paintings by Kathryn Jacobi, Margaret Lazzari, and Galya Pillin Tarmu will be on view at American Jewish University’s Platt and Borstein Galleries from January 31, 2010 through April 28, 2010. The public is invited to meet the artists at a free opening reception on Sunday, January 31st from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Curated by Elizabeth Bloom and Annette Bird
Kathryn Jacobi, a member of JAI, inspired by the painters of the Northern Renaissance, describes herself as a contemporary realist artist. Her powerful work is an expression of her relationship to the inhabitants of her world.
Margaret Lazzari, art faculty member at University of Southern California, often uses an autobiographical source in her drawings and paintings. She finds that her self portraits lead toward understanding and self discovery.
Galya Pillin Tarmu, born and educated in Chicago, spent many years in Israel. Her paintings reflect a world that has undergone estrangement, where sometimes the grotesque plays an essential role. Through metaphor the figures reveal her pre-occupation with the human condition.
American Jewish University is located at 15600 Mulholland adjacent to the 405 Freeway, in the Sepulveda Art Corridor near the Skirball CulturalCenter. The galleries are handicapped accessible and parking is free.
For further information call 310-476-9777 ext. 201
ArtScene Review - the Guide to Art Galleries and Museums in Southern California
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion/LA
3077 University Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90007
January 18 - May 31, 2010
Artist’s Reception: Sunday, March 14, 3:30-5 pm (FREE)
Opening Remarks: 4:00 pm
RSVP: (213) 765-2106 or dsauerwald@huc.edu
The Jewish Artists Initiative (JAI) and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion/Los Angeles are pleased to present “Ruth Weisberg: Drawings from The Open Door Haggadah”. In 2002, Weisberg and editor Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell collaborated on The Open Door Haggadah, published by the Central Conference of America Rabbis. Weisberg’s drawings explore both the Exodus from Egypt as well as modern day celebrations of the holiday. Sixteen drawings and monotypes as well as the Haggadah itself will be on view at Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion/ Los Angeles from January 19th till May 31st, 2010.
Weisberg’s drawings present the traditional Jewish narrative as well as highlight a feminist perspective of Passover. The work will be displayed side by side with accompanying texts from The Open Door Haggadah. Through this work, Weisberg fulfills the Judaic value of hiddur mitzvah, the beautification of the commandment.
Stas Orlovski
Nocturne
January 10 - March 6, 2010
Reception for the artist:
Sunday January 10, 3 - 5 pm
Traywick Contemporary
895 Colusa Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94707
Thursday - Saturday 10 - 4, by appointment
510-527-1214
Traywick Contemporary is pleased to announce an exhibition of works on paper by Los Angeles based artist Stas Orlovski. This will be Orlovksi's third solo show with Traywick Contemporary.
Stas Orlovski's Nocturnes are unique explorations of the subtleties of consciousness. Drawing on Russian folklore, children's books, Persian miniatures, 18th and 19th century illustrations and botanical prints, his pieces are fantastical gatherings of natural and cultural remnants. Orlovski arranges his collage compositions on Japanese papers applied to stretched canvas, a medium that allows him to "pull images out of the surface much like recovering a memory, or waking from a dream." He integrates seemingly disparate imagery and combines artistic mediums, ranging from charcoal drawings to newspaper clippings, to create pieces that are at once unfamiliar and alluring. Shadowy birds, delicate botanical drawings, and sculptural fragments are nestled within thoughtful accumulations of images that invite the viewer into private realms of being.
Stas Orlovski earned a BFA from York University in Toronto in 1992 before earning an MFA from the University of Southern California in 1996. Orlovski's work is featured in prominent private and public collections including the Fine Art Museums of San Francisco, the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, the Phoenix Art Museum, the University of Southern California and the American Embassy in Brussels. In 2008 Orlovski was honored with a City of Los Angeles Individual Artist Grant, which he has used toward the development of the Nocturne series.
View images from the exhibition
More information available at www.traywick.com
