16. January 25- March 12, 2004

WITH A PALETTE IN THE SUITCASE: Immigrant Artists in the Golden Medina

Abraham Hankins, Itzhak Sankowsky, Ben Shahn, Komar & Melamid

This exhibition marked the beginning of a yearlong celebration of the 350th anniversary of the arrival of Jews in America. During 2004 the Temple Judea Museum dedicated four exhibitions to exploring facets of this milestone.

DESCRIPTION: This exhibition provided a snapshot of the work of a very small group of artists who immigrated to the United States during the 20th century.

Hankins, Sankowsky and Shahn all came within a few years of each other as young people. As children they, and their families, all experienced the vicissitudes of the political changes, religious oppression, and economic suffering that spurred so many others like them to come to this country during the early twentieth century. However, of the three, only Ben Shahn achieved national, and even international recognition. To this day his works are widely exhibited, collected, and written about. Of the three, only Shahn chose social commentary as the overriding impetus for his imagery.

The artists in this exhibition are symbolic of numerous others who enriched this country by immigrating here and becoming part of the creative energy that drives our cultural life.

Rita Rosen Poley

Director/curator