Nunhead artist Rafael Klein has created a new artists’ book, A Wanderer, which will be launched on an evening which includes a reading, screenings of short films, and an artist’s talk, as well as a new exhibition of artwork.
“In my family, nobody ever talked about the old country. My grandmother left Poland at the turn of the 20th century. She never spoke about what happened to the family she left behind. I knew my father’s family came from Austria. But when I asked him he said, “I don’t know what city – they didn’t talk about that.”
This year, while living in lockdown, Rafael began to research what might have become of these family members. This exhibition centres on the result, A Wanderer. The 100 signed copies are printed on fine quality Somerset paper with pop-ups, and hand-bound in a hard cover. “I set myself the task of learning what it was like when Jews hid in forests, in attics, in holes in the ground,” says the artist. “The book has flaps we can open to reveal the Jews hiding, making us all complicit in their fates.”
“This tactile bookwork will be presented together with large scale interactive panels that open to reveal the Jews hiding… As part of the evening, I will be in discussion with Rabbi Mendy Korer.”
Curated by Nicole Zisman.
36 Upper Street, Angel, Islington. Thursday, 20 May 7:30 – 9:00
Admission is free but numbers are limited so you must register. https://www.jewishislington.co.uk/events-1/private-view-rafael-klein-a-wanderer