Culture
"Alphabet Letters from Heaven" - A New Exhibition at the Hechal Shlomo Museum of Jewish Art, Jerusalem
"Alphabet Letters from Heaven": Spiritual and Tangible in the Work of the Late Artist Zvi Grundman (1917–1995), A New Exhibition at the Hechal Shlomo Museum of Jewish Art, Jerusalem. Curator: Ruth Eliav. Festive Opening Event: Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM.
A comprehensive exhibition dedicated to the work of Zvi Grundman—an
artist, Holocaust survivor, and intellectual whose life story is deeply
intertwined with the history of the Jewish people in the 20th century.
Grundman, a descendant of a family of painters from Poland, carried the
European painting tradition with him into the flames. During the Holocaust,
while imprisoned at the "Pożymiechy" agricultural farm near a
concentration camp, he was forced to use his talents to decorate the palace
used by Himmler's command. From that abyss of darkness emerged an oeuvre
entirely dedicated to light, faith, and rebirth.
Grundman developed a unique artistic language using gouache, acrylic,
and print techniques, creating a mosaic-like appearance. His works are not
merely aesthetic; they serve as a visual translation of the philosophies of the
giants of Jewish thought. He poured into his canvases the teachings of Rabbi
Kook, the tales of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, and the philosophies of the
Maharal of Prague. His art stems from a profound spiritual desire to bridge
earth and heaven, shedding light on the secrets of Kabbalah and Hasidic
thought.
His status as a creator who bridged the world of Torah and modern art
made him a magnet for intellectuals from across the cultural spectrum. He
maintained close relationships and creative dialogues with exemplary figures
such as S.Y. Agnon, Leah Goldberg, Zelda, André Neher, Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook,
and "The Nazirite Rabbi" (Rabbi David Cohen).
Alongside painting, Grundman left his mark on Israel's public sphere.
Together with his brother Shmuel ("The Grundman Brothers"), he
designed the first exhibition at the Yad Vashem Museum and the Israeli Pavilion
at the 1967 Montreal Expo. His expertise in spatial design was also reflected
in the interior planning of synagogues throughout the country, where he merged
architecture and holiness.
Grundman showcased his work in solo and group exhibitions in various
galleries across Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as well as in Holland and Paris. His
pieces are held in numerous private and public collections in Israel and
abroad.
This current exhibition is a tribute to an artist who searched for the
sublime within the material, turning painting into a visual prayer. It is a
story of color that triumphed over the ashes, and of a legacy that remains
vital and relevant today.
Exhibition Details: Location: The Museum of Jewish Art, "Hechal Shlomo", Jerusalem. Exhibition Dates: September 6, 2026 – October 30, 2026.
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