Rabbi & Artist Lawrence Kushner draws from Kabbalah in first solo exhibition at the Osher Marin JCC
Rabbi Lawrence Kushner is best known in the Bay Area as the author of eighteen books, a commentator on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, and the Scholar-in-Residence at Congregation Emanu-El of San Francisco for the past decade. What many may not realize is that he gave up art to pursue the rabbinate.
Born in Detroit in 1943, Kushner’s young life revolved around art, and his aptitude earned him numerous awards. But when he became a rabbi in 1969, his painting went into hibernation. He spent 30 years as a rabbi in Massachusetts and New York City, wrote 18 books on spirituality, Kabbalah and even a novel, Kabbalah: A Love Story.
Now, after a 50-year hiatus, Kushner has returned to his childhood passion in full-force—with his first solo exhibition of oil paintings, “Street-Light: The Urban Impressionism of Lawrence Kushner,” opening at the Osher Marin JCC on Sunday, September 8, 2013.
Kushner’s art is informed by his rabbinic roots. His brilliantly colored oil paintings draw from Jewish Kabbalistic literature on the "hidden light of creation."
According to Kushner, the Kabbalah notes that Adam and Eve were able to see from one end of space to the other end of time in the light with which God began creation. Yet in realizing that human beings might abuse this infinite awareness and foresight to destroy everything, God hid the light.
“And just this is the task of the artist: To reveal the radiance once again,” Kushner says. “Light is everywhere.”
Whether he is painting the city streets of San Francisco, the iconic Golden Gate, or Point Reyes Station, “light” takes center stage in his work. Illuminating each scene with luminous color, Kushner coaxes the viewer to notice the light and beauty in ordinary scenes.
All are invited to a free opening reception to meet the artist, learn about his process, and enjoy complementary treats and live music by Jef Labes, former pianist for Van Morrison, on Sept 8th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The reception will take place in the Isaacs Gallery at the Osher Marin JCC, 200 N. San Pedro Rd, in San Rafael, CA.
The exhibition will be on view through Nov 4, 2013. Kushner is now represented by George Krevsky Gallery of San Francisco.
