The exhibition Wisdom: The Tree of Life, at the Platt/Borstein Galleries, American Jewish University, Bel Air, California is presented by the Fine Arts Council of AJU. The exhibition highlights the work of four Southern California artists: Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik, paper cuts; Sandra Klein, photography; Maddy LeMel, mixed media sculpture; and Karen V. Woo, painting. The four artists explore the symbolism of the Tree of Life and what it represents. The work ranges from a literal interpretation of a tree, but with a twist, to an abstract representation of what defines wisdom, knowledge and learning as signified by the symbol of a tree and the tree in nature.

The artwork in the exhibition is varied in its presentation, choice of media and in how it can be interpreted. The exhibit shines a light on the historic significance that the Tree of Life continues to play through to current day. Each artist has created works that have not been exhibited before.  Maddy LeMel  will exhibit her series of small twisted wire sculpture trees, her birdhouses and a new series that narrows in on just parts of trees. The scale of Maddy's work allows the viewer to get up close and to catch the details that speak to the parts of our lives and what is significant to each of us. Karen Woo paints her trees down to the last detail, and then sets them askew in the color palette she selects. Visually we know it is a tree, but her presentation challenges the viewer to ask "what is a tree?" Sandra Klein presents photos that are layers of her life experiences. She blends the idea of wisdom as represented by the tree with other images, including references to the human form – the body that holds onto wisdom and knowledge. Finally, Isaac Brynjegard-Bialik creates paper cuts with a focus on biblical and Talmudic writings. The notion of what defines the Tree of Life informs his pieces.

The exhibition is curated by Georgia Freedman-Harvey, Gallery Curator. There will be an opening reception at the Platt/Borstein Galleries on Sunday, January 25, 2015 from 3-5pm. The artists will be present. The reception is free and open to the public. In addition in the Lowy Winkler Rare Book Center of the Ostrow Library will be a concurrent exhibition. The exhibition in the Lowry Winkler Rare Book Room is curated by Jacqueline Ben-Efraim, Special Collections Librarian Ostrow Library.

Gallery Hours:
Sunday – Thursday, 10am-7pm.
The gallery is closed January 19th and March 5th.
Private tours are available by calling the gallery office at
(310) 476-9777 ext. 201 or email arts@aju.edu