Address: 12 Zammenhoff Street, Jerusalem
Curated by Rosenbach Contemporary Gallery

One’s private domain encompasses an elaborate history, oftentimes beginning generations prior. Yet, when shared, the “guest” - however close they may be - is an “outsider” and will necessarily view in a personal perspective, generally more superficial. 

Chaya Vance resides in the Old City of Jerusalem near the Western Wall, the Holiest Place of the Jewish People. Her journey has been a long and winding road. The daughter of Holocaust survivors, she has searched to find her home and her peace. Similar to other children of survivors, the memory of her ancestors who she never met are constant visitors (intruders?). Their memory has been a guiding light throughout Chaya’s life. A multidisciplinary artist, Chaya shares her home as she envisions it, greeting her ancestors to “live” with her family in the Holy City of Jerusalem, as if to thank them for their sacrifice for the Jewish Nation. 

Raquel Sanchez lives and works in Jerusalem. Her world-encompassing journey, too, has been intricate and intriguing. Raquel expresses her deepest emotions through the canvas. Her painting, like our emotions, is very fluid, almost kinetic, changing with the movement of light. Each painting is a unique invitation to the viewer. The artist shares a small corner of her innermost; an invitation to share her private domain, while revealing only what is necessary. Each observer will experience something unique. 

Chaya and Raquel have been friends for many years. Chaya “invited” Raquel to her home; Raquel welcomed the opportunity and “installed” her emotional private domain in Chaya’s dalet amos.

Uri Rosenbach

“At that time, I will bring you back, and at that time, I will gather you; for I will make you renowned and glorified among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring back your captivity before your eyes...” (Zephania 3:20).

My parents miraculously survived the Holocaust. Gratitude on a daily basis is  our living gesture of thanks. 

Unfortunately, much of the family did not survive. Each person has a unique story, however,  some of those stories are yet to be finished . Being a child of survivors,  I grew up surrounded by photographs, memories and stories of murdered ancestors. For my parents, these photos held precious memories; it was all they had to remember loved ones, a past lost forever. For me, they became part of my personal story and also my imagination. They found their way into the essence of my being, a link to a past yet more importantly giving way to an opportunity which continues to build a better future.  Throughout my life, I’ve imagined what it might have been like if they were alive and with us . 

When I moved to Israel with my husband, Ronny in 1998, we were blessed to establish our home in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. Seemingly, years of wandering and wondering culminated into a powerful connection with my people, which added beauty and meaning to my life. A few of these precious family photos accompanied us along our journey.  

I am an artist, and  there are various tools I use to express myself….One of them, being my camera. 

In 1991, I photographed various peoples and customs; from  Native Americans  to Soviet Russians, and now, In Israel,  my Jewish people in celebration. 

In this Exhibit, “Viewpoint”, my lens recreates my fertile imagination into a visual. This imagined reality is the antithesis of the camera itself. In these photographs, my lens continues to search for experiences that the eye may not encounter, yet always creating from that which exists. 

So now I invite you,  and my family,  along with Artist, Raquel Sanchez, to share our home for a short yet eternal visit. May we all bless the memories of those who perished, and May we all share in their light which will  guide us to a speedy redemption.

Chaya Vance