INSPIRE ME! Artist, Yona Verwer

A common misunderstanding is that
people equate religious art with cliches.

~ YONA VERWER

"Yehuda #1" (2001) oil on canvas

By Ernest Disney-Britton

If it's possible to develop a friendship on Twitter, I've done it with Dutch-born NY artist Yona Verwer. There is a patient magical quality in her tweets, and that same tone is reflected in her captivatingly magical artworks that include, amulets, portraits, streetscapes, etc. She is a Believer, who understands the loneliness of those who share the passion for religious art, and through her work she soothingly sews the seeds of belief, mystery and tranquility through a contemporary lens. I hope you enjoy her work as much as I do.

Portrait of Yona in studio

1. What is your faith tradition, and where did you become an artist who explores religion? I am Jewish, living in New York, and started to incorporate religious images in my work in 2000. My intention is creating innovative, cutting-edge work. I co-founded the Jewish Art Salon to support and shape the cause of contemporary Jewish art.



"Yosef #1" (2002) acrylic on canvas

2. How do you describe your art? Why style or genre is it? It is not "Judaica". It is contemporary art with a Jewish theme. "Urim and Tumim - Divine Text Messages" refer to an ancient Jewish tool of prophecy. My "Kabbala of Bling" series comments on the appropriation of Kabbala by pop icons. "Temple Talismans" are inspired by the Kabbalists who used amulets for health and protection.



Part of the Bling amulet series

3. Have you ever had to defend exploring religious themes? All the time. A common misunderstanding is that people equate religious art with cliches. They are not aware of a growing movement of exciting contemporary art that explores new interpretations and media.



Part of the synagogue amulet series

4. What do your collectors say about your work? Author Professor Matthew Baigell calls Stanton Amulet I "an important Jewish-American image". Some collectors respond to the aesthetic beauty of the work; others love the interplay of art and faith. The irony is that most of my work is in the collections of atheists and Christians; I am happy about this universal appeal.



Part of the city charms series

5. Who would you like to collect your work? Besides major museums and collectors worldwide, anybody who is interested in contemporary art.



A temple amulet for protection 

6. What other artists have influenced your style, or commitment? I loved Anselm Kiefer's Kabbalah exhibit; also a fan of Francis Bacon. Peers who influenced me: Siona Benjamin, Mark Podwal, Tobi Kahn, Richard McBee, Archie Rand, Joel Silverstein, Robert Kirschbaum, and Cynthia Beth Rubin.



Part of the protection amulet series for synagogues

7. Where can A&O readers find others like yourself? At http://jewishartsalon.com/ an open, vibrant community of artists and art professionals. We have informal meetings once a month in the NY area to discuss our work. We organize exhibitions, panel discussions and other events across the USA and abroad with leading international artists and scholars. Readers are encouraged to join our email list for weekly updates, and our Facebook page and LinkedIn group for online dialog and daily posts.

Yona's website: http://yonaverwer.com/ is the place to discover (and collect) from her wonderfully diverse inventory of works. Her work is on the top of my collection-wish list, and I highly recommend it to you. It's truly religious art for Believers, but also Skeptics too.