Here is my Mom's discussion of some of her work:
Passion and Passover
By Judith Margolis
Every year Jews celebrate the holiday of Passover by retelling the story of
the deliverance of their ancestors from oppressive slavery in Egypt, as
recorded in the Biblical book of Exodus (1312 B.C.E or Nisan, 2448, by the
Jewish Calendar.) We are told that in every generation we should
understand this story as if it were ourselves that were slaves, ourselves
witness to the miracles, ourselves liberated.
My own artistic relationship to this material reflects a synthesis of both
personal and collective memory and understanding. In this context,
paintings and drawings function as a visual Midrash (commentary and
elaboration) by suggesting further interpretations of the Biblical text.
These paintings were commissioned for the exhibition Passion and Passover
at the Laband Gallery, Layola University, Los Angeles February 1991
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In "Pharoah" I focus on the evil nature of the character of Pharoah.
Pharoah's hardened heart and compassionless deeds are mirrored in the acts
of other tyrants throughout history who have plotted the destruction of the
Jewish people, dispoiled the land and unleashed violence against our
children.
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| Pharaoh |
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The second painting, "And the Waters Parted," explores the legend that the
Jews were up to their noses in water before the sea parted. This painting
chronicles the struggle with faith that was required when Jews waded into
the deep, trusting that they would not drown.
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| And the Waters Parted |
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In "The Horse and His Rider" I examine the moment when God overpowered the
Egyptian army pursuing the Jews. During the seder (the ceremonial meal of
Passover) we dip our finger into our cup of wine and remove a drop for each
of the ten Biblical plagues. This is to acknowledge that our joy at our
own liberation is diminished at the loss of any life, even those of our
enemies.
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| The Horse and His Rider |
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"Your Light on the Face of the Earth,"is about the giving of Torah at
Sinai, and the revelation of God that the entire Hebrew nation witnessed.
The freedom of the Exodus is meant to be the preparation for the receiving
of the Law. The earth-colored triangle represents both Mount Sinai and the
physical world of the planet and our bodies. The brilliantly colored cloud
represents both the heavens and the spiritual life that is given to us.
The joining of these two worlds, the physical with the spiritual, in the
context of Torah, is what living a Jewish life is about.
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| Your Light on the Face of the Earth |
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