Art, Faith & the Spirit of Jewish Identity
A Childhood Enriched by Art
Golda Koosh is a Russian/Israeli artist whose variety of works express the joys and devotion of the Jewish identity and connectedness to the Land of Israel. Growing up in Moscow, Koosh was given a unique and enriching exposure to high art that left an indelible mark on her upbringing. The city’s cultural, artistic, and architectural landscape produced a dynamic tapestry of history and creative inspiration for Koosh, inspiring her to follow an artist’s path. In 1989, she began her ten-year journey studying the fine arts at a higher level at the Moscow School of Arts.
The Journey to Artistic Discovery
Koosh experimented with sculpture, design, glass-blowing, and painting during her studies. However, painting was the medium where she truly felt she could explore and express her ideations. Through her art, Koosh spent years in Russia exploring a variety of subjects but found herself constantly returning to her roots and experiences as a Jewish woman. Her teenage years were marked by her rebellious spirit. She would spend every free moment sketching and painting joyous images of people dressed in brightly colored clothing and dancing in the streets. She enjoyed the subjects of celebration and youthful frivolity. Her creativity fostered a sense of rebellion against the Russian morality enforced during these times.Â
Faith Through Art
Koosh’s faith and experience of Judaism through painting brought her great happiness. Her art shaped her perspective and fostered a profound understanding of the power of creativity within the standpoint of her inherited faith. It fostered a sense of connection to herself, her convictions, and her relationship to her cultural heritage. The years of her work, from the ’90s until 2020, laid the foundation for her longing for the Land and her eventual move to Israel.
Aliyah: A New Beginning
In 2020, Koosh made Aliyah. After years of exhibiting her art all over Russia, Europe, the UK, and the US, she understood that her home was with her people in Jerusalem and dedicated herself to realizing that dream. With her move to The Holy Land, her new paintings began to take on new meanings. Each brushstroke came to reflect a visual narrative telling the story of the triumphant spirit of Judaism, further fostering a deep connection and appreciation for the cultural and spiritual heritage of the nation. While becoming familiar with her new home, every stroll through the streets became a journey through the history of her people and initiated an artistic revolution within her.
Joy in Every Brushstroke
From childhood throughout her university years, Koosh always felt compelled to express the joyous parts of life, reflecting the most cheerful of moments despite the oppression of Soviet Russia. However, with the move to the Holy Land, Koosh found a shift in her work. Whereas before, she expressed her fun, rebellious spirit, now her work depicts pride and devotion to her people and land.
Currently, Koosh’s body of works reflects the joys of Judaism through celebrations, Klezmer music, marriages, sunrises, and cultural gatherings. Her art embodies ethereal qualities through the interplay of vibrant colors, symbolic motifs, and dynamic compositions, transporting viewers to a space where the sacred and the joyful converge. Whether it’s the exuberant depiction of traditional ceremonies, the playful exploration of cultural symbols, or the celebration of life’s milestones, Koosh’s art resonates with the rich tapestry of Jewish traditions and invites observers to revel in the beauty and joy inherent in the faith.
Carrying the Past, Celebrating the Present
Koosh’s work brings a gleeful spirit embracing playfulness and celebration within the context of Judaism, creating a captivating and spiritually uplifting experience for the artist and the viewer. From the ancient Kingdoms of Israel and Judea until the present day, Golda Koosh has walked the paths of her ancestors and painted the stories of the joys and customs of her people. Her art builds a link between the historical land of the Jewish people and the modern customs of our shared cultural identity.
