Recollections of my Nonexistence; Diptychl, Oil on linen
When was this piece created? 2022
What is the story behind this piece? I created my own portrait as a woman painter that asks how a painter finds her voice in a society that still prefers women to be silent; in this painting, I hint toward my formation as a painter and as a feminist.
What inspired this piece? The feminist writer Rebecca Solnit (specifically her memoir) and the painter Artemisia Gentileschi
Is this part of a series; if so what is the series? Yes, part of a series of representations of the female heroine (Judith beheading Holofernes, Jael, and Sisera, Esther).
Explain/Tell us anything else you would like us to know about this specific work: Impressed by the clever way the artist Artemisia Gentileschi infused well-known biblical stories with her understanding of a gendered society in which women employed beauty and cleverness to gain the upper hand. I created a self-portrait of myself painting Gentileschi. In this diptych, there is a distraction and tension between the two images–as I was putting the images cut hands-dead center; and space in between the two female images–a moment of silence. During which the viewer may take a breath to underscore the risk I had taken by painting myself painting Gentileschi. Gentileschi being the ideal female painter role model to me– A proto-feminist talented artist, who taught herself to read, write, and to some extent to paint.
What is one of your artistic goals? To share my work with like-minded people and to empower woman
Do you have any shows coming up? Yes
1. currently some of my work is online till March 7, 2022, as part of the “compassionate women: kindness in action” exhibition, juried by Anum Farooq (https://artspaces.kunstmatrix.com/en/exhibition/8728907/compassionate-women-kindness-in-action )
2. I will have an exhibition in May in NYC at Pratt Manhattan Gallery juried by Yasmin M
Meirav Zaks Zilberman
Meirav Zaks was not always an award-winning artist. She started as a dancer, choreographer, and was a scientist for many years. Meirav led and managed projects ranging from scientific projects in oncology to creating new ventures. Meirav is the founder & CEO of Bridges to Memories (BTM; Arts and Education). Meirav has a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Drexel University, PA, Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Entrepreneurship from Babson College, Boston, MA, Master in Performing Arts (Dance), and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Painting & Drawing from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY. She currently works in her studios and lives in Brooklyn, NY, and Boston, MA
Website: www.meiravzaks.com
Instagram: @meiravzaks