Artist Talk: Beth Ames Swartz (Artist) in Dialogue with Prof. Susan Aberth, Bard College (NY)

This event is a collaboration between Phoenix Art Museum, ASU Jewish Studies and Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center. Space is limited.

Ecofeminist artist Beth Ames Swartz has been inspired by many intellectual, religious, and wisdom traditions, including Indigenous spirituality, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jewish mysticism, Chinese healing arts, Christianity, and Sufism, as she wrestles with the meaning of life, death, creativity, pain, and suffering. Hear from Beth Ames Swartz in conversation with Susan Alberth, Edith C. Blum Professor of Art History and Visual Culture at Bard College, as they discuss how Swartz’s art and aesthetics are motivated by the Jewish ideal of Tikkun Olam. They will discuss how societal challenges such as feminism, social inequality, and injustice can be addressed if we appreciate our connectedness to the healing power of earth, water, air, and fire, and if we see ourselves as part of the cycle of birth, life, aging, death, and renewal. The program will begin with a screening of the documentary Beth Ames Swartz/Reminders of Invisible Light.