Into the Light, The Joy of Painting features artwork by Holocaust survivors and refugees from Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors Centre (HSC). The inspiring collection focuses on everyday experiences, celebrating colour and the process of creating art to bring relief and comfort to the artists from past trauma.
Art teacher and London-based artist Barbara Jackson, who has exhibited her own works both in the UK and internationally, has worked with the group of artists at the Holocaust Survivors Centre, to create the show. Barbara is an experienced teacher, admired and adored by members of the weekly art group.
Barbara focuses the group on enjoying art, while not turning it into therapy. She explains: “It’s not meant to be a therapy group, it’s just the act of doing art together that’s very therapeutic in itself.”
The Holocaust is almost indiscernible in the exhibition, but art itself helps the members to appreciate bright perspectives and to bring comfort into their lives. The members’ work is a mix of genres including life drawing, still life and landscapes, and is a reflection of this group of individuals bound together through shared experiences.
The Centre opened in 1990, and is the only centre of its kind in the UK. It is a friendly, safe place where Holocaust survivors and refugees can meet and benefit from a wide range of social activities alongside practical and emotional therapeutic support.
Into the Light, The Joy of Painting is showing until 10 April at The Wiener Library, 29 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5DP. Open Monday – Friday, 10.00am – 5.00pm.
Admission free.
