Joyce Steinfeld
My name is Joyce Steinfeld. I have been an artist all my life, and as far back as I can remember I knew that this was my life talent. Today I am a Hebrew Letter Artist.
As I grew up, and became an adult, I was also interested in things that were spiritual in nature. My art and my spiritual life seemed to be two different parts of me, and I did not see any connection between them.
I was then introduced to the Hebrew Alphabet, and became aware that each letter was more then a letter shape with a sound, there were spiritual meanings attached to each letter. I have taken each letter and have redrawn it in my own shape, resulting that I created my own font style of the Hebrew Alphabet. This became a life altering event for me, for in exploring the shapes and forms of the letters I also began studying the meanings of the letters and my spiritual interests and artistic interests became unified in the expression of my art work. I began to use Hebrew Words and letters in my sculpture and fine art prints.
When I create art, I believe the instructions or inspiration for the creation are divinely inspired. When I create art I try to clear my mind and allow the instructions that I need to create the art work to flow from me. I try not to judge, I try not to use my critical mind that whispers in my ear that this is good, or this is bad. I try to open myself up and have no judgement about what I will create. It is almost like meditation, when you clear your mind of all thoughts and allow the inspirations to come through you. You just do it, without any judgment. When you trust your spiritual inspirations, they will surprise you with creative gifts that are greater then anything that you can force or plan.
In the Ancient Hebrew Language, the letter forms where pictographs, meaning it represented a picture. Each Hebrew pictograph have a name directly related to the picture. For example the pictograph for “dalet” looks like a door, and has the meaning of “door”. Each letter also has a sound. In modern Hebrew, there are letters that have the same sounds and that are also silent. It is believed that in the ancient alphabet they did not waste letters by duplicating sounds or using them as silent.
“The meaning of the letter is related to the picture the form of the letter represents. These meanings are then a part of the meaning of the words, which uses these letters”. (1)
My current art exploration is based on this last sentence. I look at the individual Hebrew letter definitions that make up a word, then blend these meanings together to come up with a definition of the word as well. I then take the graphic images of the letters and construct a drawing, which I will later interpret as a 3D sculpture. There is an intangible quality to the drawings and sculpture that speaks to the meaning of the word used in the artwork. This is the magic, for it does not come from logic, it is not preplanned, it comes from a place that I can access within myself, but its creation is a mystery to me as well.
My wish is for you to find inspiration and enjoyment by the experience of my artwork.
Joyce Steinfeld
(1) The Ancient Hebrew Language and Alphabet, Understanding the Ancient Hebrew Language of the Bible Based on the Ancient Hebrew Culture and Thought by Jeff A. Benner.
As I grew up, and became an adult, I was also interested in things that were spiritual in nature. My art and my spiritual life seemed to be two different parts of me, and I did not see any connection between them.
I was then introduced to the Hebrew Alphabet, and became aware that each letter was more then a letter shape with a sound, there were spiritual meanings attached to each letter. I have taken each letter and have redrawn it in my own shape, resulting that I created my own font style of the Hebrew Alphabet. This became a life altering event for me, for in exploring the shapes and forms of the letters I also began studying the meanings of the letters and my spiritual interests and artistic interests became unified in the expression of my art work. I began to use Hebrew Words and letters in my sculpture and fine art prints.
When I create art, I believe the instructions or inspiration for the creation are divinely inspired. When I create art I try to clear my mind and allow the instructions that I need to create the art work to flow from me. I try not to judge, I try not to use my critical mind that whispers in my ear that this is good, or this is bad. I try to open myself up and have no judgement about what I will create. It is almost like meditation, when you clear your mind of all thoughts and allow the inspirations to come through you. You just do it, without any judgment. When you trust your spiritual inspirations, they will surprise you with creative gifts that are greater then anything that you can force or plan.
In the Ancient Hebrew Language, the letter forms where pictographs, meaning it represented a picture. Each Hebrew pictograph have a name directly related to the picture. For example the pictograph for “dalet” looks like a door, and has the meaning of “door”. Each letter also has a sound. In modern Hebrew, there are letters that have the same sounds and that are also silent. It is believed that in the ancient alphabet they did not waste letters by duplicating sounds or using them as silent.
“The meaning of the letter is related to the picture the form of the letter represents. These meanings are then a part of the meaning of the words, which uses these letters”. (1)
My current art exploration is based on this last sentence. I look at the individual Hebrew letter definitions that make up a word, then blend these meanings together to come up with a definition of the word as well. I then take the graphic images of the letters and construct a drawing, which I will later interpret as a 3D sculpture. There is an intangible quality to the drawings and sculpture that speaks to the meaning of the word used in the artwork. This is the magic, for it does not come from logic, it is not preplanned, it comes from a place that I can access within myself, but its creation is a mystery to me as well.
My wish is for you to find inspiration and enjoyment by the experience of my artwork.
Joyce Steinfeld
(1) The Ancient Hebrew Language and Alphabet, Understanding the Ancient Hebrew Language of the Bible Based on the Ancient Hebrew Culture and Thought by Jeff A. Benner.
Stylized Lamed Medium - by Joyce Steinfeld
Lamed is the 12th letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. It is in the approximate middle of the alphabet and is also the tallest letter. Lamed relates to both teaching and learning. It is knowledge that has heart felt meaning, and not the chatter of the cerebral mind. Man has a duty to teach God’s will, but he cannot do this unless he learns it. Learning and teaching are man’s highest accomplishments. To learn and study are not enough, you may have knowledge, but you must act upon the knowledge you have. To study is not the ultimate goal, rather it is the deed that results from the knowledge. With this accomplishment, of personal wisdom and action, we now have ability to guide others in meaningful ways.
Material: Cast Bronze on Granite Base
Size: H 13” X W 7” X D 6”
Patina Color: Black with High Polish
Edition Number: 6/75
Inventory Number: J110-1092-S
Material: Cast Bronze on Granite Base
Size: H 13” X W 7” X D 6”
Patina Color: Black with High Polish
Edition Number: 6/75
Inventory Number: J110-1092-S
$
1,117.00
Stylized Dalet Medium - by Joyce Steinfeld
Dalet is the fourth letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. It has the shape of an open door. A door is a physical place that one can pass through. In our busy everyday life, there are many hidden doors or opportunities, let us not be too busy or afraid, to recognize these portals to the divine. An interaction with another person, or appreciating our surroundings, these are opportunities to bring our understanding of God into the moment or place.
Material: Cast Bronze on Granite Base
Size: H 10” X W 8” X D 8”
Patina Color: Black with High Polish
Edition Number: 5/75
Inventory Number: J104-1090-S
Material: Cast Bronze on Granite Base
Size: H 10” X W 8” X D 8”
Patina Color: Black with High Polish
Edition Number: 5/75
Inventory Number: J104-1090-S
$
1,117.00