Women of Valor and Other Super Heroes

Women of Valor and Other Super Heroes by papercut artist Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik opens October 18, 2015, at the National Council of Jewish Women Los Angeles, with a reception from 3 to 5 in the afternoon. The exhibition is open until November 30, 2015.

In his new show, papercut artist Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik explores women’s voices in the Torah, especially the relationships between mothers and daughters — which he feels are sorely underrepresented. Brynjegard-Bialik’s show is primarily focused on what he refers to as the “super women of Jewish tradition” — through the lens of pop culture narratives. His papercuts blend traditional sources and comic book stories in seamless graphic compositions made of cut-up comics, maps, and other ephemera; his work is emblematic of the 21st century’s mash-up culture.

“I’m exploring the idea of women’s voices in our traditional texts,” says Brynjegard-Bialik. “The passing of traditions and ideas from mother to daughter, certainly — but also focusing on the strong female heroes that are often pushed to the fringes of scholarship.” He points out that Jewish scholarship and comics have traditionally been male-dominated arenas — and though that’s changed recently, he’s made it a personal quest to seek out and highlight women’s voices in both traditions.