Interconnectivity: An Art Exhibition

We are delighted with the success of our new initiative of bringing art into Kent House with the colourful and intriguing contemporary Jewish Art Exhibition, ‘Interconnectivity’, Paintings by Michèle Jaffé-Pearce and Yaïr Meshoulam, curated by our member Orit Schreiber, an established Art Curator & Consultant.

Taking place over Sukkot and Simchat Torah, we also hosted a Private View Drinks Evening on 13th October with over 120 members and guests attending. Both artists as well as Julia Weiner, an eminent author and former long-term Art Critic for the Jewish Chronicle, currently Art History Professor at Regent University, were present.  Julia has written an informative review of the exhibition, copies of which are available at the exhibition or by request from us.

Michèle, a member of Westminster Synagogue, ran Art Workshops during Or Shabbat which the children were highly enthusiastic about and they were able to take their own mini canvas artworks home with them. Rabbi Benji Stanley encouraged us to look beyond the pure visual enjoyment of the art, to examine their content and ponder on their meanings in the context of studies into Judaism.

"Interconnectivity" brings together paintings by Michèle Jaffé-Pearce and Yaïr Meshoulam who work on similar themes but in very different styles. Bringing them together allows the viewer to reflect on Jewish philosophy and teachings in intriguing and contrasting ways.

The works in this exhibition share an interest in the Jewish mystical tradition of the Kabbalah, in Jewish texts and the Hebrew alphabet. Beyond this both artists are intrigued by the threads and links between these Jewish teachings, cosmology and cutting edge quantum physics. Both artists have exhibited widely in London and abroad - Meshoulam’s work, including some pieces from our exhibition, was shown at the Ben Uri Gallery in Dean Street, in Berlin with the British Council and also at The Jewish Museum in Camden Town. Jaffé-Pearce has shown more recently at The Mall Gallery, SW1, The Cork Street Gallery and at Barclays Bank, Piccadilly in a show exploring contemporary beliefs.    

Viewing Times

We are pleased to announce that 'by popular demand’, the exhibition dates have been extended until Monday 7th November, the hang slightly changed now with a few new works in place. Members of Westminster Synagogue are encouraged to view the exhibition during normal building opening times Monday 24th October-Monday 7th November. If you want to book an Appointment or have any questions for with the Curator, do let Orit Schreiber know. 

Artist Michèle and curator Orit will be at Kent House this Saturday, 29th October and invite you to stay after kiddish for a chat and to enjoy the paintings. 

The Artists

Born in  London, and member of WS, Michèle Jaffé-Pearce was for 15 years a features writer for The Sunday Times.  Thereafter she studied Fine Art at Sir John Cass and Chelsea School of Art.  Inspired by Jewish mystical teachings, Michèle’s abstract paintings take the viewer into a world of wonderment. She has exhibited widely in London and has had shows in New York. 

Yaïr Meshoulam, born in Haifa, has been living in London since 1966, practicing as an artist after his training at The Ruskin School of Art, Oxford University and The Royal College of Art, London, exhibiting mainly in London and Berlin. 

Special Thanks

In addition to Orit, Michèle and Yaïr for this wonderful exhibition, we would also like to give special thanks to:

• Mark and Masha Maislish for their donation to this exhibition and future exhibitions, in loving memory of Mark’s grandmother, Shoshana Schreiber ל״ז, zichrona livracha, may her memory be a blessing, who passed away a few weeks ago.

• The Isvy Family for their donation to the Private View Evening, in memory of our much-missed beloved friend and member, Ilana Alexander ל״ז‎

Contact

If you have any questions about the exhibition, please get in touch.