"Exploring Identity," an upcoming exhibit at the University Art Museum, connects contemporary techniques with cultural tradition. The show, which opens Saturday, will feature work exclusively by Southern Jewish women artists.
Jill Hartz, director of the art museum and curator of the show, explained that the exhibition was designed in conjunction with a conference sponsored by the Jewish Studies department, which is scheduled for April.
Hartz said the goal was to find women whose work expresses their Jewish background in various forms.
"We were interested in ... ritual objectswhich is pretty obviously Jewish -- though may be in contemporary form -- as well as Southern Jewish women who were not as overtly connected with Jewish themes but still felt their Jewish identity was important to their work," Hartz said.
The exhibition displays approximately 30 works by five artists, covering a broad range of media. Items include paintings, three-dimensional art that adapts traditional religious objects, book illustrations and photographs created by old-fashioned techniques such as daguerreotypes and cabinet cards.
Among the artists is University Media Studies Prof. Johanna Drucker.
Laura Orgon, Graduate Arts and Sciences student, was heavily involved with the production of the show.
Orgon said she made initial contact with the artists, assisted with planning layout of the items, gathered artists' statements and biographies and compiled that information into wall labels.
She also said she sees a general theme of the exhibition as "the strength of women and Judaism and strong belief in their faith," but noted that the different works convey an array of ideas.
Orgon cited these ideas as "strength and perseverance" mixed with "introspection and reflection on life."
Although the subject of the exhibition has a narrow focus, Hartz said she doesn't think that will result in a limited audience.
"People come in to see one show and they see other shows," she said.
Hartz added that conference members will form an audience base naturally, but stressed aspects of the show that have a more general appeal.
"It's a real diversity of media," Hartz said. "And, because they're all contemporary artists, it will attract people interested in contemporary art."
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