What Always Survives
Oil on Canvas, 45" x 62"
The painting, What Always Survives, pays homage to the suffering and continuous religious concealment of the Crypto-Jews of the XV Century. The simple, yet haunting composition of the painting presents a dramatic psychological atmosphere. Representing an era of turbulent times, the dark background is comprised of deep shades of sepia, red and smoked black hues melting into one another. The dominant figure, a Tallit (prayer shawl), is situated atop a crimson wooden box. Partially rolled and tucked into itself, the weight of the Tallit grips the top surface of the box as its body casually drapes alongside the front edge of the box just barely revealing a keyhole. A metaphor for the strength that was needed to balance religious conviction in spite of having to, at times, conceal identity, this Tallit emanates pride in being outside of the historical box of concealment. The obstructed keyhole suggests that perhaps the key to survival during times of imposed cultural hegemony is to live around or beyond or in spite of the constructs that are imposed upon us. In the bottom right of the painting, is the artist’s signature bearing the same hue as the lock. Perhaps the key to cultural survival also lies in retelling the narrative of a people’s journey with honor. Painstakingly working from an inner calling bestowed upon himself, artist Jonatas Chimen is part of this legacy of self-expression.
Oil on Canvas, 45" x 62"
The painting, What Always Survives, pays homage to the suffering and continuous religious concealment of the Crypto-Jews of the XV Century. The simple, yet haunting composition of the painting presents a dramatic psychological atmosphere. Representing an era of turbulent times, the dark background is comprised of deep shades of sepia, red and smoked black hues melting into one another. The dominant figure, a Tallit (prayer shawl), is situated atop a crimson wooden box. Partially rolled and tucked into itself, the weight of the Tallit grips the top surface of the box as its body casually drapes alongside the front edge of the box just barely revealing a keyhole. A metaphor for the strength that was needed to balance religious conviction in spite of having to, at times, conceal identity, this Tallit emanates pride in being outside of the historical box of concealment. The obstructed keyhole suggests that perhaps the key to survival during times of imposed cultural hegemony is to live around or beyond or in spite of the constructs that are imposed upon us. In the bottom right of the painting, is the artist’s signature bearing the same hue as the lock. Perhaps the key to cultural survival also lies in retelling the narrative of a people’s journey with honor. Painstakingly working from an inner calling bestowed upon himself, artist Jonatas Chimen is part of this legacy of self-expression.