Tree of Life Ark Screens for Congregation Beth Israel, Bergenfield NJ

Many fabrics, maple frames
Appliqué and embroidery
137 x 254 cm. (54" x 100")

Approaching the ark during the torah service brings this congregation to identify with going forth to an unknown and lofty place to receive God's words. A series of receding arches lead to a typical New England scene with barn, hillside and colourful autumn trees. A spiral, representing God's spirit, infuses the whole scene and leads us towards Torah, which the Hebrew text reminds us is a 'tree of life'.

The New England landscape is inspired by a painting by the donor’s wife, in whose memory the parochet was commissioned. The complex 'ghost layers' technique, intended to create visual transparencies, is particularly appropriate for this project.

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Ghost layers pattern
detail
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