Judaism, Social Issues
Portrayed in StL Artist’s Work

Claire Medol Hyman, an interdisciplinary artist working in St. Louis, said her life as a Jew is directly reflected in her images and manner of creating. “I believe in Tikkun Olam and create images reflecting ongoing social issues.”

Hyman’s work begins with rough images sketched in pen or charcoal, which she then fleshes out in various media. Her mark making is highly expressive enabling dynamic and sensitive images that often provoke questions about social justice.  “I Iive in a constant inner dialogue questioning how I feel and what I see. I develop my images, moving charcoal, paint or objects within that dialogue.”

She describes her art “as an art of questioning. Creating artwork that provokes questions in my viewers’ minds offers them the opportunity to search their souls for answers according to their own vision.”

Her sculpture, "CARIAGE NOT CARNAGE" 2008, was commissioned for V.P. Joseph and Dr. Jill  Biden, due to their strong concerns for domestic issues in the U.S. It was created from brass found objects. The gilded colorful piece built from an ornate mesh baby carriage, like many promises and programs, cannot fulfill the promise of its name, carriage. “While attractive, it is full of hoes that lose the contents, a metaphor for the unkempt promises to our society's most needy,” described Hyman.    

Growing up, Claire was always drawing. “While my teachers did not approve of me drawing in class, my art images were often connected to Judaism. I remember drawing a colorful picture looking down on the Pesach table with many chairs and dishes, but many people were missing. My work still is triggered by connected events, loss in cultures and rituals,” she said.

Hyman attended the Washington University School of Fine Art in the 70s. “It was a conservative time,” she recalled. “My multi-media  paintings were raw strokes and coarse tones of grey to black with red undertones. They attracted Prof. Barry Schactman, my formal and demanding figure study teacher's attention. He asked  ‘What is your connection to the Holocaust ?’” He had seen in her paintings the silenced subject of her family and other families who were victims of the Holocaust.

The "VEILED" works are part of her series, "REGENERAT," a response to Hitler and the National Socialist Party's attacks on the avant garde in the "DEGENERATE ART"  EXHIBIT of 1937. Many Jewish artists, musicians and writers were castigated, including Max Beckman, Marc Chagall, Oskar Kokoschka, Emil Nolde.

Hyman is also known to “quote” Maimonides and laws from Torah as the connection to her love and caring for nature and art making. “Torah is not only a study of laws, but it’s  a journey of curiosity and careful examination. I am delighted by questioning and delighted if answers are many sided. Listening to a lecture and thinking about Scriptures feels like playing with friends of old in a sandbox or a drawing. If I build a sand wall or an argument too high, it could crush another. Yet, a subtle shape might enhance an entire castle. As viewers follow shape and lines in my images it can become a path to awareness or pleasure.” 

Claire’s connection to Judaism not only appears in her art. She’s also very active in the Jewish community. For many years, she’s been a member of Central Reform Congregation’s Haverah which she and friends organized for older members. She participates in the 40+- year-old Friday Everlasting Book Club, originally called the Jewish Book Club, started by Barry Commoner and other Washington University professors. "Before I had grandchildren, when it was really 'new', I was a board member of the New Jewish Theatre as well as a member of NCJW, a member of Amcha in Israel and for years on the board of AJC in St. Louis."

As a Board Member of ADL in 1986, she organized three months of extensive programming for the first Jewish event at the Missouri Historical Society. Celebrating 100 years of Jewish presence in St. Louis, many of the oldest immigrant family and community pictures and documents were shown.  Movies of older days, were followed by discussions and cantorial concerts were coupled with opera, Jewish authors, literature, Jewish landmarks and history. By that time most Jewish St. Louisans lived in the county. The fully-attended anniversary activities encouraged the Missouri Historical Society to continue including the stories of St. Louis' many ethnic groups.

Today Claire limits herself to art related activities and special issues. She lives and works in University City in an Arts and Crafts bungalow. “I like to cook and entertain, my husband is a great help as my sous chef. The Jewish holidays are the time to pull out the Londinsky Family Cook Book. My cousins spent months collecting recipes while I created the cover image, a menorah like family tree.  The Londinsky family is my matrilinear side, they still are great cooks and bakers. As a long time vegetarian, I wonder if I show my attitude of noblesse oblige when I cook brisket and a rich chicken soup for my family.” 

This summer, Shabbat dinner is enhanced by produce and recipes from Tuv Ha Aretz. “I'm learning a lot from my neighbor Sara Winkelman who works at the JCC and manages the  Tuv Ha Aretz, an organic farming program. 

Claire is married to Morton Hyman and their children are Carolyn Hyman, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hyman, and their children Erica, Brooke and Drew, who live in St. Louis, and Andrew and Piper who live in Boise, Idaho, with twin boys Daniel and Gabriel.
To learn more about Claire Hyman, visit http://www.clairehyman.com

Currently, Hyman has several ongoing local exhibitions. They include:

• BJC Northwest Healthcare
  Aug. 6 – Oct. 15
  1225 Graham Road. (N. Hanley Rd becomes Graham)
   “Hyman's work adds interest and dynamism to this handsome space”.
  
  
• Art St. Louis, Juried Group Show
  Through August 15
  505 Washington Ave.
  
  
• Art Dimensions, Flax Gallery, a juried group show.
  1214 Washington Ave.
  
  
• International Art Ex change
  World Trade Center, 120 South Meramec Ave.
  Through Aug 15.
  
  
• Lyon, France
  Aug 20 through Sept 15