Views of Jerusalem Art Exhibit Opens Today

An exhibition of paintings of Jerusalem by Chasidic artist Joel Gluck will open at The Betzalel Gallery in Crown Heights beginning today, Sunday.

“People cannot imagine how many colors there are in Meah Shearim, in the ‘white’ stones!” says artist Joel Gluck about his latest series of paintings exploring Jewish life in the streets of Meah Shearim, Jerusalem. “I see so many colors here as well as great beauty.”

Paintings of Jerusalem and other works by the artist are the subject of an exhibition “One Hundred Gates: Views of Jerusalem and Beyond” running September 14-29, 2014 at The Betzalel Gallery in Crown Heights Brooklyn.

The fruits of a recent trip to the Holy Land, Joel’s paintings glow with deep and luminescent color. His work, set in the inspiring landscapes, interiors, and alleys of Jerusalem, exquisitely captures the spiritual beauty and tranquility of his subjects.

The 30-year-old artist who lives in the Satmar community of Kiryas Joel is a bit of an anomaly. Joel cites the teachings of Chabad and Breslov as well as the artists Rembrandt, Sargent, Zorn and Sorolla as being influential on his art. “With my art, I try to bring out the beauty of living a religious life and of God’s creation,” he says explaining the unique synthesis of religious and secular in his art. “Talent isn’t a contradiction to Judaism.”

Born in 1983, and descended from a European Hasidic lineage noted for its artists, Joel Gluck began drawing as a child. He went on to study with outstanding contemporary American artists, including Max Ginsburg and Paul McCormack, president of the American China Oil Painting Artist League (ACOPAL). Joel was also the subject of a recent cover story in Ami Magazine that received positive reviews.

Joel is at the cusp of his career; his talent belies his age. “Joel Gluck is going to be one of the next great artists,” says Shmuel Pultman, who together with Dovy Andrusier, is the founder of The Betzalel Gallery in Crown Heights.

From its inception, the gallery has prided itself on fostering art that reflects the richness and warmth of Jewish heritage and tradition. “My dream for Betzalel,” says Pultman, “is to encourage the greater Jewish community to participate in the conversation about great art in the Jewish tradition.”

With its current exhibition, the gallery’s dream is getting ever closer to reality.

One Hundred Gates: Views of Jerusalem and Beyond will run from September 14 through September 29, 2014 during regular business hours. The artist’s reception will take place Sunday, September 14 at 7:30 pm.

For more information or to RSVP please visit Facebook.com/TheBetzalelGallery, or contact
Shmuel Pultman (718) 307-1005 shmuel@thebetzalelgallery.com

The Betzalel Gallery, 567 Empire Blvd. Brooklyn, NY
Hours: S-M-W-Th 11:00-7:00. Tuesday by appointment. Closed Friday.

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