Drawing by Judy Cassab at 12 on show at Jewish Museum
The first drawing renowned artist Judy Cassab ever committed to paper is currently hanging in the Sydney Jewish Museum.
Peter Kampfner, Judy Cassab and Norman Seligman
Last night, Mrs Cassab attended a celebration at the Museum to mark the 60th anniversary of her first Australian exhibition. The celebration included the opening of an intimate retrospective exhibit that features works from her private collection, including a portrait of her grandmother that she did in 1932 at the age of 12 – touted as the first ever ‘Cassab’.
Her son Peter Kampfner presented the drawing to the audience and said ‘Mum drew this at the age of 12 with the vision and skills of a 50 year old artist. She is a genius’.
Along with portraits of her family, on display is a drawing featuring 18 of Judy’s classmates from her school in Beregszasz, Hungary, all of whom perished in the Holocaust. Judy was the sole Survivor.
Also hanging with Judy’s private works are paintings from the Museum’s Cassab collection including a study of Dr Gene Sherman AM, who was the guest speaker.
During her speech Dr Sherman discussed her enduring relationship with the artist and the similarities that entwined their lives throughout the years. While the final Sherman portrait is her private collection, the study on display at the Museum demonstrates Judy’s creative working process.
The Museum’s CEO Norman Seligman welcomed Judy ‘back home to the Museum’ during his opening speech.
“This launch is one of those extremely special moments for the Museum. Judy has been a huge supporter of the community and the Museum, and I congratulate her for all her suburb achievements,” said Mr Seligman.
The launch coincided with various other exhibitions around the city that are also celebrating Cassab’s life works. The Judy Cassab: A Celebration is on display at the Museum until March 2014.
