Naomi Blake : A Retrospective

2nd - 26th April 2014
Marking the Artist’s 90^th Birthday

Exhibition and launch of a new book ‘Naomi Blake – Dedication in Sculpture’

From Left: Jonathan Blake, Naomi Blake and Anita Peleg. Photo credit: John Ross

This special exhibition at Curwen Gallery in April marks the 90th Birthday of Naomi Blake, sculptor, holocaust survivor and advocate of understanding between faiths. The exhibition will include highlights of her work and will launch a new book ‘Naomi Blake – Dedication in Sculpture’ which catalogues her life’s work. 

Towards Tomorrow’, bronze, 33 x 30 x 8cm

Naomi Blake’s experiences as a survivor of Auschwitz have been a huge influence throughout her artistic career. Her work contains recurring themes inspired by her desire to commemorate the past horrors of persecution and move towards the promotion of understanding and good will between people of different faiths and backgrounds. Naomi Blake’s sculpture expresses her personal experience of the Holocaust and her hopes and optimism for a better future.

This retrospective exhibition marks the artist’s 90^th year, a milestone and time for reflection upon her career. During the exhibition, a new publication will be launched; ‘Naomi Blake – Dedication in Sculpture’ which catalogues the development of her work.  Toward the end of exhibition there will also be a talk about Naomi’s life.

Early works in Naomi Blake’s career began figuratively, moving into more abstract phases. Her later work often incorporates abstract forms alongside a figure. One reason for this, Blake explains, is that despite her experiences in her life, she realised that ultimately humans are very positive beings and these sentiments are reflected in the titles of her works. 

Glimmer of Hope, bronze

Examples featured in the exhibition are ‘Glimmer of Hope’, ‘Man Against the Odds’ and ‘Towards Tomorrow’. In some pieces, figures in embryonic-like forms, are placed enclosed and protected by abstract forms around them. In other works, figures are free from these surroundings to stand against all adversity.

Naomi Blake has a great interest in Jewish life and learning. In a significant series of work, Biblical figures such as King Solomon, Abraham and Isaac are brought to life in expressive and imposing sculptures, reflecting the strength and the characters of the Old Testament.

Glimmer of Hope, bronze

Naomi Blake was born in Czechoslovakia. She studied at Hornsey College of Art and is a Fellow of the Royal British Society of Sculptors. Naomi lived in Milan, Rome, Jerusalem and now resides and works in London.

Over sixty major works can be seen on permanent sites including:

Norwich Cathedral; Bristol Cathedral; St Anthony’s College, Oxford; St Botolph’s Church, London; Waterlow Park, London; The Sternberg Centre, London; The Hebrew University, Jerusalem; Oxford Synagogue; Leeds Synagogue; Portsmouth Cathedral; Fitzroy Square.