Truth, Justice, Peace – Captain America and Rabbi Steve Sirbu

Truth, Justice, Peace
16" x 20"
Mixed media
2016

Truth, Justice, Peace is an original papercut that was commissioned as a gift for Rabbi Steven Sirbu by Temple Emeth of New Jersey on the occasion of their 2016 Spring Gala honoring him (this past weekend) on the occasion of his “bar mitzvah year” with that congregation. He's also a long-time friend.

The piece is inspired by Rabbi Sirbu’s work for the congregation and his dedication to truth, justice, and peace — with words from Pirkei Avot which tell us that the world is sustained by those three concepts. However, the middle concept in Pirkei Avot, in the original Hebrew, is דין (“deen”) which is usually translated as “judgment.” Artistic license transforms that word to צדק (“tzedek”). Supported by these words is the world itself, with New Jersey in central position.

The papercut is made of cut-up comic books featuring Captain America, symbol of truth, justice, and peace — a man who has dedicated his life to helping others and serving higher causes. Captain America’s real name, of course, is Steve Rogers — another connection to Rabbi Sirbu. Within the Hebrew we find words celebrating those qualities for which Captain America and Rabbi Sirbu fight, as well as references to the original words from Pirkei Avot and a reference to Temple Emeth.

This piece includes:

• Captain America #263 (Jan 1986), #322 (Oct 86), #333-338 (Oct 87 – Feb 88), #413 (Mar 1993), #600 (Aug 2009), #634 (Sep 2012), #636 (Nov 2012), #12 (Dec 2013)
• Captain America – Marvel Knights #14 (Aug 2003)
• Avengers #501 (Oct 2004)
• Ultimate New Ultimates #1 (May 2010)

Three Things

I've made a new papercut to donate to this weekend's fundraising auction at the annual Temple Ahavat Shalom gala (Saturday, May 31, 2014).

In Pirkei Avot 1:18 we read, "Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel tells us that the world stands upon three things: truth, justice, and peace." This papercut takes as its inspiration the journeys of friendship and giving that have sustained Mindy & Dave and Debbie & Scott, being honored at this year's gala — the ideals that make them who they are, and their commitment to tikkun olam... to fixing the world that they see on their travels.

In this papercut the world is represented supported on a foundation of these three ideals, rendered in papercut Hebrew: emet, tzedek, and shalom. It is titled "Three things," and it's backed with cut-up comics including:

The Infinite Horizon (#5, Oct 2011)
The Infinite Vacation (#5, Jan 2013)
Batman/Superman (#8, Apr 2014)
Superman (#23.3, Nov 2013)
Wonder Woman (#23.2, Nov 2013)
Justice League Europe (#2, May 1989)
Nextwave (#1, 2006)

Details on the gala can be found on the web here. If you're interested in bidding in absentia, please email here or call (818) 360-2258.


Three things
16" x 20"
Mixed media
2014

The making of "The Uncanny Ben Zoma"

The Uncanny Ben Zoma

My latest commission is in the hands of its new owner, so I'm pleased to share some photos with you here on my blog. Click on the pic above to see it bigger.

"The Uncanny Ben Zoma" measures 36" x 24" and comprises four panels representing some lines  from Pirkei Avot:

Who is wise? One who learns from every person.
Who is strong? One who overcomes their nature.
Who is rich? One who is satisfied with what they have.
Who is honored? One who respects all of creation.

Each panel is based on one of the four fundamental forces and features members of the X-Men; you can click on the pix below to see blown-up details from each section.

At the far right, “Who is wise?” Within the lines of electromagnetic force are Professor Xavier and Jean Grey. Professor X was the founder of the X-Men and the first headmaster of the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters; Jean was a later leader of the school, and it was eventually rebuilt as the Jean Grey School for Higher Learning. As a nod to magnetism, at the center of this panel is a portion of Magneto – though often an enemy of the X-Men, at times in Xavier’s absence he has stepped in to lead the school.

 

“Who is strong?” features Wolverine and Rogue, renowned for their physical strength and abilities, but both of whom must battle against their nature. The strong nuclear force is the foundation of this panel, fitting as mutants are often referred to as “children of the atom.” Wolverine is continually at odds with his bestial, animal nature; to be truly he must not lose sight of his humanity. Rogue has, at times, aligned herself with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, and even as a member of the heroic X-Men she constantly struggles with her mutant power.

The third panel is “Who is rich?” and is built on the weak nuclear force, responsible for the hydrogen fusion at work in the center of our sun.  Angel is the heir and CEO of the multi-billion dollar Worthington Industries, and finds himself dealing with the question of what “rich” really means, and how he can use his wealth and his mutant ability for the betterment of all. Kitty originated as a younger, sunnier, member of the team; though faced with danger and death, she maintains her belief that the world is a wonderful place, if only we take the time to realize it.

The last panel is “Who is respected?” and features two key X-Men team leaders: Cyclops and Storm. They are respected for their abilities in leading a team, and in upholding the guiding principle of the X-Men: they stand up for all people, mutant or not. The panel structure is based on the force of gravity, which binds the planets in their orbits and all objects and people to one another.

Who is wise? Part 3

Done! This is another teaser from the first of four panels. Once it's in the hands of its new owner, I'll post a photo of the whole thing out here.

Who is wise? Part 2

It's really coming together... and though I usually don't share pix of my commissions until they're in the hands of their owners, I can't resist sharing another little teaser.

Who is wise?

Here’s a peek at a little detail from the VERY LARGE commission on my cutting table right now. Those of you who know, know.

Aseh l'cha rav,u'kneh l'cha chaver.

In Pirkei Avot 1:6 we read, "Aseh l'cha rav, u'kneh l'cha chaver" -- "Find yourself a rabbi, and make yourself a friend." The folks who commissioned this piece are planning to give it as a gift to a rabbi friend of ours, and I'm very pleased.

I structured the piece around the Hebrew verse, using the "shin" of "aseh" as my fulcrum, lengthened from top to bottom and creating an allusion to the form of a mezuzah. The final word of the verse is key -- "chaver/friend" -- and so it is treated differently, cut out in the lettering style of Jewish scribes.

The piece is cut out of Arches watercolor cold press stock, mounted above a square canvas painted in glowing tones of blue; the interplay of white and blue / light and shadow really came out great.