The Jewish Museum
1109 5th AvenueJoin the Women's Organization of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue for a guided tour of "Ben Shahn, On Nonconformity," the new exhibit at The Jewish Museum!
Admission is $20 — including for Jewish Museum members — to cover the cost of the (required) docent for our group. Space is limited; please register by Wednesday, July 16. Please arrive by 1:45 p.m.; the tour begins promptly at 2 p.m.
About "Ben Shahn, On Nonconformity":
"Ben Shahn, On Nonconformity" examines the prolific and progressive artist’s commitment to chronicling and confronting crucial issues of his era, spanning from the Great Depression to the Vietnam War, as well as his exploration of spirituality and Jewish texts. Featuring 175 artworks and objects from the 1930s to the 1960s, including paintings, mural studies, prints, photographs, commercial designs, and ephemera, the exhibition highlights the enduring relevance of Shahn’s art across media, while revealing new insights into the complexity of his aesthetic and his decisive shift from documentary to allegorical and poetic styles in pursuit of a visual language that would resonate widely. The exhibition draws its title from Ben Shahn’s credo of “nonconformity,” which the artist asserted as an indispensable precondition for both significant artistic production and all great societal change. This philosophy is centered in the exhibition as the foundational thread that runs through the artist’s oeuvre, which investigates issues such as unemployment, discrimination, authoritarianism, and threats to freedom of expression, while championing labor, civil, and human rights. Shahn’s later spiritual work, which embraces the Hebrew language and biblical stories, also reflects his exploration of a tradition of social justice activism within Jewish culture.
Mon, Jul 21, 2025 1:45 PM - 4:00 PM
The Jewish Museum
1109 5th Avenue
A vibrant Reform congregation on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue has served as a catalyst for progressive Jewish thought, committed social action in the local community and beyond, and support for Israel for more than 115 years.
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