On the Edge of Change Heidi Rufeh

On the Edge of Change

Heidi Rufeh

Voyagers Encaustic 16 x 32 x 3 in

While traveling in Baja, Mexico, I was taken by the immense colors of a festival there. People in costumes and parades through the town were impressive and overwhelming.

When I returned home, I tried to capture my experience. I started out playing with motion; moving paint from one side to the other. Then I added people’s faces.

Then another idea popped into my head.

People need to connect with each other for whatever reasons they may have with no obstacles or walls in the way.

Suddenly, I was reflecting on my life as I had left Berlin after the wall bisected the city. The expressions of movement with people in the painting took on a more serious purpose that I was not prepared at first to explore. How loved ones are left behind because of a restricted life with less freedom or means to survive. And abruptly “Voyagers” took on a new meaning.

Growing up in the chaos of a divided city and the Cold War has greatly influenced my art. I grew up in West Berlin, and as I entered adulthood, I became more aware of the restrictive nature of the then divided city. The impact of the division of East and West was always apparent and weighed heavily on us.

This caused young people to move away to West Germany to live a less restrictive life. The city was left with more and more older people who stayed. The situation worsened as the wall was erected in 1961 and totally divided the city. That stifled life on both sides and communication with people almost came to a halt.

The Cold War intensified and in the East mail was opened and read, phones were tapped, and people were forced to attend Communist party meetings in apartment blocks. If they did not appear and support the system, they were in great danger of being blacklisted.

All Eyes on You Encaustic 10 x 10 x 1 in

The consequences were harsh for people who rebelled or demonstrated. They were imprisoned and were forever changed.

People were fleeing the East risking their lives with many shot as they attempted it.

This had an enormous impact on me. I felt terribly constrained and decided to look into opportunities to experience freedom.

Therefore, I took the decisive step to move to the United States and began to take classes at Harvard University.

Soon after I heard that a cousin of mine living in East Berlin working in a family restaurant was able to get real cofee from the West that was not available in the East. His best friend informed the authorities of what was going on, and he was arrested and served a long time in prison. My aunt then fled to West Germany; nobody in the family felt safe anymore.

In America, I found out what it was like to be free. For the first time in my life I was able to do what I wanted, and when I wanted with only my conscience to guide me. Traveling freely around the States with no restrictive borders closing around me made me understand what freedom really means.

But we should never take that freedom for granted.

This past year, we have all faced restrictions and had our lives threatened by the pandemic, wildfires, hurricanes, winter storms, and political unrest.

We are living on the edge of change and our actions will help decide our future.

Phoenix Rising III Encaustic 24 x 24 x 2 in

“Phoenix Rising III” expresses the joy and exuberance of my new found freedom.

Man With All The Answers Encaustic 24 x 24 x 2 in

He manipulates the truth for his own gain, and his lies become “truths” — and the more the lies are repeated the more believable they become to himself and others.

Looking for Change Encaustic 30 x 30 x 2 in

Among the struggle, destruction, and death, he dreams of a brighter future - one filled with light, hope, and change. And he needs “YOU” to share this dream.

Pensive III Encaustic 12 x 12 x 3 in

Portrait of an ordinary couple together weathering the ups and downs of life. His demeanor shows self reliance, she looks rather pensive as if there is something on her mind. They are together, but they allow each other’s life to flourish. She knows that she can depend on him, and he knows that there is a strong woman at his side. They are one unit that has grown together; neither one can do without the other.

About the Author In 1963, I moved to the United States and began to take classes at Harvard University. I met my future husband who had immigrated from Iran. We married, had two children, and became citizens.

My interest in the arts led me to study at the De Cordova Museum school, the Massachusetts College of Art, and later at the Art Institute of Boston. That was followed by exhibiting in New England, New York, and Berlin.

In 1994, we moved to San Diego where I presently reside. Living in California induced my color pallet to become much more vibrant and bolder.

Growing up in the chaos of a divided city and the Cold War has greatly influenced my art. I now focus on the human condition, social conflicts, and climate change while steadfastly maintaining a passion for life.

You can view Heide’s work at www.heidirufeh.com

Photos by Peter Fay For information about Peter Fay Photography, go to www.Peterfay.com