ASHEROT

The standing pieces are inspired by the ancient Israelite practice of creating sacred posts (Asherot in Hebrew) that were regarded as offering protection and abundance.  The Asherot were also referred to as the feminine consort of God.  Approximately 2500 – 3000 years ago they were an integral part of everyday Israelite religious life.

In my work I seek to reclaim this symbol as our desire for wholeness, to feel the fullness of life, of bringing the transcendent divinity down to earth so we can feel a sacred presence in our grounded lives.  The Asherot stand proudly announcing their presence, inspiring us to feel the power of embracing, expressing and sharing all parts of ourselves.

Making these Asherot from cardboard ground them back to their original form in being created from trees.  They appear tree-like and appear to rise organically from the earth and at the same time feel other worldly.  My hope is that as one gazes on these Asherot they begin to feel a connection to all that is both fragile and divine in our earthly bodily existence.

My work with cardboard is informed by my experience as a psychological counselor, rabbi and chaplain.  I was privileged to be with people at their most difficult and intimate moments and to see how life’s inevitable confrontation with pain, loss and grief exist side-by-side with love, compassion, beauty and the desire to connect with the sacred within oneself and the divinity that surrounds us.