This series is based on photos I took in my grandparent's NYC apartment of my family members before and after the funeral of my uncle. They were taken over my spring break, so when I was doing these pieces a few weeks later, my emotions were raw and I was dealing with a lot of grief, as my uncle's death was untimely and unexpected.
View of NYC from my grandparent's apartment. I combined techniques of wet charcoal, dry charcoal, and ripping the paper to construct the space.
These pieces don't have a particular order, but I'm essentially presenting them in the order they were created. This piece was reworked from charcoal with water and ink.
This piece was also reworked from charoal with water and ink.
Charcoal with water and ink. The rips of the piece are intentional.
This piece is the same view as the first one of NYC, but during the daytime. To get an idea of the area, the dark building in the background is the Freedom Tower under construction. Pen and ink.
Pen and ink.
Pen and ink. The Hebrew text was added later, to differing levels of success. Here it probably didn't improve the piece, but on other works in the series I think it was an important addition. I wrote out the text by hand in ink. The texts are various prayers in Hebrew.
Pen and ink.
Pen and ink. Another piece with intentional tears, and text added to make sense of the space.
Pen and ink. The text here was actually done with the rest of the piece (as opposed to the Hebrew text found on other works, which was added later on).
Pen and ink.
Pen and ink.
Pen and ink.
Pen, ink and paperclips. Seven ripped paper ribbons on a little background.
Pen and ink. A self portrait of sorts. The text here is Hatikvah, the anthem of Israel. This piece is not based on anything, unlike the others, and is a coda of sorts to the series. Since my uncle's death I feel a great uncertainty about my identity as a person, a member of my family, and a member of my religion. This piece is meant to show this.
