New Jersey Jewish News
Greater Monmouth County Feature
Shrewsbury artist finds ‘shelter’ in the traditions of Judaism
In recent years, Shrewsbury artist Robyn Ellenbogen had been studying the Book of Genesis as a metaphor for artistic creation. As the themes of birth and creation came together, she realized that she wanted to incorporate Judaism and its many interpretations into her art.
Ellenbogen began creating a tent-like structure of bamboo and layers of colored wire; the piece, which is approximately four feet long and three feet high, resembles a pup tent, a dwelling that moves with the wanderer, she explained.
In January, Ellenbogen served as artist-in-residence at a division of the 92nd Street Y in New York City. The
mission of the residency was to expand the study of Jewish text in an interdisciplinary way. She went on to create six of her tents in a variety of sizes that were on display at the Y throughout January.
“The tents evoke sanctuary and refuge, which are very Jewish concepts,” she said. “The pup tent was designed during the Civil War and could immediately create shelter in the midst of battle. Creating shelter, seeking refuge, and the threat of war are integral parts of Jewish history.”
And integral parts of her work as arts education director of the Monmouth County Arts Council. Tolerance and peace were the themes of the 2006 Monmouth County Teen Arts Festival, which took place March 16-17 on the campus of Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. As coordinator of the annual event, she applies the lessons that fuel her own artistic expression.
Ellenbogen, married with two children, has served as festival coordinator for three years, a project she balances with the creation of her own art. These creative impulses have led her to include significant Jewish subjects in many of her paintings and other works.
Ellenbogen, who was raised in New York City, can’t remember a time when artistic expression wasn’t part of her life. While a student at the School of Visual Arts, Pratt Institute, and Hunter College, a variety of artistic forms reached out to her.
“Everything appealed to me — architecture, photography, drawing, painting — I never met material I didn’t like,” she said. “But I was especially drawn to oil painting. I felt it had a relationship with the earth and the environment. It’s a process that can’t be rushed.”
She was especially enamored of the abstract expressionist works of many Jewish artists, including Mark Rothko, Philip Guston, and Adolph Gottlieb.
“I dreamed of being an artist since I was old enough to be aware of my dreams and what they meant,” Ellenbogen said. “Like so many others, artistic expression has helped me to sort through some difficult times. I learned to examine issues that were important to me and to make sure value was placed on them.”
Even before moving to Monmouth County from New York City 10 years ago, Ellenbogen was an arts educator. While creating her own paintings, she worked with students in the tristate area. She was also was part of an interdisciplinary program for teachers at New York’s Lincoln Center Institute.
When she and her family bought a home in Shrewsbury, she created an art studio in a bright red barn on the property. She conducts art classes there and works on her own projects.
She is working on a series of paintings that will combine pencil and watercolors. The working title of the series is “Innersanctuaries,” and some of the pieces are scheduled to be displayed at St. Bartholomew Church in Greenwich Village later this month.
“The result will be works of art that portray a textile appearance, like feelings that you can’t quite pin down in a particular space,” Ellenbogen said. “These paintings will be very organic and meditative; they are about the flow of my hand and the flow of time.”
She continues to explore, interpret, and contemplate Judaism, and her discoveries still find their way into her work. Ellenbogen’s interest in meditation has also brought her closer to her religion. The meditative processes of concentration, examination, and reflection inspired her to delve deeply into Jewish history and tradition. (One of her Zen meditation instructors had been raised as an Orthodox Jew.) As a result, she has been inspired by the calming influences of Jewish prayer and the religion’s emphasis on living a constructive yet peaceful life. Ellenbogen says all these concepts continue to drive her “search for self.”
“I love images that you can contemplate, things that you can examine and re-examine,” Ellenbogen said. “I want the imagery in my paintings to grow through observation. I’ve always thought that every form of art is like an old friend; whenever you come to see it, it welcomes you back.”
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