SYNAGOGA LEPIDOPTERA In the second series of works that grew out of WINGS OF WITNESS, butterfly forms are again used as a reference to the Holocaust. These large scale assemblage works often contain damaged wings and include a female form taken from medieval/Gothic cathedral facade statuary; ‘Synagoga’ (‘a graceful forlorn  figure with falling crown, blindfolded, downcast, staff broken, carrying a shattered or down turned law (tablets), allegorical representations of Judaism’). “Synagoga’ figures are also found in stained glass, manuscripts and frescoes and served as a political device complicit in the development of centuries of anti-Semitism. By fusing the Synagoga forms with butterfly shapes, Schrier  calls attention to this politically motivated art form, while visually elevating the victimized “Synagoga” forms with wings. In these new works Schrier continues his interest of transformation of ordinary material  into significant, as in Wings Of Witness. Unusual materials employed include nails, glitter felt, fake fur, ripped burlap, weed barrier cloth, slip cover plastic, rug padding, shattered styrene and glass, formica. Chrystalsynagogua, 6’ X 8’, 2004.  Shattered styrene, acrylic and glass on speckled formica laminate,  fragments from burnt prayer books from Eastern Europe inset with reproduction on vinyl and acrylic of Synagoga stone sculpture from Trier, Liebfrauenkirche (west portal), c.1250. Hidden and Scattered, 6’ X 9’, 2004 Rug padding fused with handmade paper of broken leaves and page fragments of burnt prayer and Torah books from Eastern Europe; electric light under acetate reproduction of Synagoga stone sculpture from Strasbourg Cathedral, c 1230   ‘The very last’, 6’ X 9’,  2004. Ripped burlap on glitter felt with fake fur, pipe insulation, weed barrier cloth, unraveled rope, knotted fringe tied in  traditional tallit configuration. Double overlay of yellow slipcover vinyl with burnt edges.    To go to the other sections, click on one of the following Return to ARTIST'S NEW WORKS In The Shadow of Your Wings Serif/Seraphim, Out of Emptiness 36 Righteous / Lamed Vav Saraphim Other Community Art Graphic Novel in Progress: COCOON (link currently under construction) For acquisition or exhibition information contact Jeffrey Schrier: jeanjeffs@aol.com