Illuminated Letters returns to the OJMCHE
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ortland artist Sara Harwin’s work Judaism.” The project presents 18 core concepts of “Illuminated Letters” will once again be Judaism through an artistic lens. A Judaic artist featured at the Oregon Jewish Museum whose ceremonial and ritual artwork is used in and Center for Holocaust Education. synagogues and homes across Oregon and around This time, the exhibit is displayed in the front the country, Sara knows the impact art can have window of the museum as part of the city’s on understanding and emotions. Winter Light Festival and will be activated in She was featured on the February 2014 cover the evenings from Feb. 5 through 29. of Oregon Jewish Life, and at that time Sara said Sara’s artistic career has been devoted to creating about the exhibit, “This project is something I am imagery that celebrates transcendent and spiritual presenting to the Jewish world at large in the hope Sara Harwin experiences. She uses many different media to shape people will find it useful and inspirational and a way her vision of elegant simplicity that is the result of of connecting,” she says. “I want to bring people to a in-depth study. “Illuminated Letters” was originally installed at deeper understanding and engagement in Judaism.” OJMCHE in 2014 as a single set of panels. That work has since “Illuminated Letters” is an artistic lens into the journey of continued to develop into a sacred spiritual environment. creation. Light is represented in the form of ancient Hebrew The work draws upon the ancient tradition of illuminated letters within the Heavens. These illuminated letters gather manuscripts and sacred geometry, creating large panels and into groups of three, forming 18 root concepts found in the hanging mobiles. The imagery uses strong jolts of color, (sacred Torah. The letters of these roots (shoreshim in Hebrew) attach imagery), pattern and movement to achieve an innovative blend to multi-faceted geometric forms, which fall through the of visual and textual commentary on Jewish life and thought. atmosphere to Earth. Sara utilizes diverse techniques, including acrylic painting, According to Sara, this new installation, “Brings the story paper cuts, mixed media and fiber art. to a new audience by being included in the Portland Winter Sara created the exhibit “to be a visual entry point to Lights Festival 2020, which is all about light and lighting up 48 FEBRUARY 2020 | OREGON JEWISH LIFE
