GIVING FORM TO THE PAST
Oded Halahmy has straddled three continents for the past 30 years, maintaining studios in Israel, London and New York. The Iraqi-Jewish sculptor blends his heritage with a minimalist style, as evidenced in the Yeshiva University Museum’s “Homelands: Baghdad-Jerusalem-New York — Sculpture of Oded Halahmy, A Retrospective,” comprising roughly 46 works.
“Employing symbols such as the palm tree and fronds, pomegranates, architectural fragments and harps, Oded Halahmy incorporates his childhood memories and his culture into his sculpture,” said Reba Wulkan, the museum’s exhibition curator. “Using repetitive geometric elements with calligraphic inspiration, the artist illustrates the Iraqi landscape that he remembers and loves.” His body of work — which includes “Pomegranate King With Flower” (pictured here) — has appeared in solo and group exhibitions.
Yeshiva University Museum, Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St.; Aug. 25-Jan. 15, Sun., Tue.-Thu. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., reception Sept. 16, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.; $6, $4 students and seniors, free children under 5. (212-294-8330 or www.yumuseum.org)
