SYMBOLIC EXPRESSIONISM | Reflections on Jewish Heritage

ART as a symbol has the power to convey both personal and universal meaning. It transcends barriers of geography, language, status, gender and belief. As a reflection of human experience, art evokes a myriad of meaningful responses.

For Rina Gottesman, Bianka Guna and Rachel Ovadia, three internationally accomplished York Region artists of Jewish descent, symbolism is inextricably woven into the very fabric of their work. Unique visual vocabularies evolve in these paintings, where simplicity of line, suggestion of form and blocking of colour collaborate expressively. Their canvases convey cultural traditions, ideologies and personal experiences.

Mysterious and enigmatic, these symbolic reflections often reveal personal elements of Jewish heritage present in the lives of each artist. Rachel’s exploration of symbolism references the Kabbalah and Numerology drawn from ancient Judaic origin. Born in Israel as a child of Holocaust survivors, Rina’s life experiences, spirituality and Jewish heritage merge to influence her artistic perspective. Also a child of Holocaust survivors, escaping the Romanian Gulag and emigrating to Israel, Bianka’s work is inspired by the lyrical style of Israeli music.