Jacqueline Nicholls and Dr Jess Wood are two Jewish artists who explore the relationship between arts practice and traditional Jewish texts including Torah, Talmud and Midrash. In her talk, Jess Wood asks us to consider how ceramics and miniature painting can be used to make visual exegesis of key verses in the Hebrew Bible concerning the creation of the world and the human being. Jacqueline Nicholls will address being part of a tradition that values textual engagement as a religious act, and the complexities of writing down the transcendent sacred. Using very different techniques and styles, both artists bring to light how artworks can shed new light on textual themes.
The seminar on Sacred Traditions and the Arts is a joint venture between the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at King’s and the Courtauld Institute. It seeks to place researchers in dialogue who are working on any aspect of the sacred and visual culture. It is open to all scholars and students who have an interest in exploring the intersections of religion and art regardless of period, geography, or tradition.
Organised by Dr Caroline Levitt (Courtauld Institute) and Professor Ben Quash (King’s College London).
Dr Jess Wood recently completed an arts-practice based PhD at King’s College, London which explored how traditional arts practice (ceramics and miniature painting) can be used as an exegetical tool to unpack verses from the Hebrew Bible concerning creation and sanctified space.
Jacqueline Nicholls is a London based fine artist, Jewish educator, and award-winning visual poet. She uses art to engage with traditional Jewish ideas in untraditional ways. Her main focus of her artistic practice is to consider handwriting as a form of drawing. She is the Creative Director of Jewish Renaissance’s Artist Development Scheme, and regularly teaches at the London School of Jewish Studies. Jacqueline’s art has been exhibited internationally in solo shows and significant contemporary Jewish Art group shows. Jacqueline has an MA in Fine Art from Central Saint Martins. Recent residencies include ‘Wasted Books’ at The London Library, ‘50 Jewish Objects’ Jewish Studies Department, Manchester University and Beit Venezia, where she was the lead artist for New Venice Haggadah (2016) and the Deck of Esther (2022), reimagining Megillat Esther as a pack of playing cards.
