Women, Pogroms, Love
A Sydney exhibition by award-winning artist Wendy Lessick Bookatz.
Wendy Lessick Bookatz
Leonard Cohen’s words: “I greet you from the other side of sorrow and despair, with a love so vast and shattered it will reach you everywhere” – speak to the heart of this exhibition.
Lessick’s exhibition is a journey through violence, memory and love.
The rack of prints and artwork on paper created over many years is a howl to stop the ongoing violence and murder of women.
In 2024, Wendy turned to her family history. In 1918, during the years after Lithuania declared independence, her great aunt Sarah Chaya Krikst was raped and murdered by the Cossacks.
1918 – 1921 in Lithuania was a period of upheaval, war and antisemitic violence. Thousands of Jews were murdered; women were targeted with brutal violence and rape. 2024, Wendy painted 25 small 30cm x 30cm canvases titled “Sarah Chaya (1901-1918) my great aunt. Finally, I grieve”. Then created another 25 works. The paintings are titled “Silence Is Our Language – Self Portrait Wendy Chaya with Sarah Chaya (1901 – 1918)”. These are also 30cm x 30cm.
“And Then It Was The Turn Of The Cossacks” was painted in 2025. Wendy’s cousin Barry softly pointed out to her, “Your paintings are so very sad”. Wendy began a series of canvases greeting light. Love.
In this exhibition, Lessick includes a 2023 portrait of Francine Lazarus OAM, Holocaust survivor and author of “A Hidden Child from Belgium”. Francine’s life of witness and resilience shows us healing and love.
Francine is an inspiration to all.
When: 29 October to 8 November 2025
Sylvia Hrovatin has graciously agreed to officially open the exhibition on Sunday 2nd November 3pm.
Sylvia has a remarkable ability to communicate complex ideas and will bring a compelling perspective to Wendy’s works of art.
Where: 7 Clovelly Rd Randwick NSW 2031
Links:
https://www.wendylessickgallery.com/art-exhibition-oct-nov-2025
https://www.wendylessickgallery.com/
https://www.wendybookatz.com/
