Sh'ma Yisrael 2016

Alexander Roitburd created "Sh'ma Yisrael" with oil on canvas. Immediately, the painting strikes us with its vibrant use of color and texture, dominated by the golden hues of the menorah against a backdrop of deep, textured reds and purples. The thick impasto layers create a palpable sense of movement and energy, drawing the eye across the canvas. The composition is anchored by the symmetrical form of the menorah, a powerful symbol in Judaism. Its seven flames leap upwards, rendered in dynamic strokes of yellow, orange, and white. Roitburd presents two figures in dark clothing beneath the menorah. Their placement and gestures, with hands raised as if in prayer or supplication, imbue the scene with solemnity. Roitburd uses the material qualities of oil paint to construct a space that feels both intimate and monumental. Through these formal choices, Roitburd invites us to consider the interplay between tradition, faith, and individual expression.