In creating this acrylic painting on canvas paper, inspired by the narrative of Holocaust survivor Ray Kantar, I sought to capture the haunting image of young Ray trapped within the confines of Auschwitz surrounded by a foreboding fence.
My choice to exclude vibrant colors was intentional, aiming to capture the pervasive dullness of this historical atrocity. The visual of Ray standing within the camp’s barbed wire signifies her inescapable confinement within the concentration camp. The barbed wire in the painting is not merely a physical barrier: it is a psychological symbol of brutality and oppression. The barbed wire represents imprisonment, highlighting the stripping away of basic human rights and of individual autonomy of innocent victims. I made Ray’s eyes wide and prominently featured to echo her haunting words: “What I saw in Auschwitz, right away, if I had a pill, I would kill myself.” The intense gaze is intended to challenge the viewer, ensuring that her harrowing story is never forgotten. I painted the shadowy expanse beyond the barbed wire to suggest the far-reaching impact of the Holocaust, hinting at the widespread brutality that infiltrated communities and the challenging journey towards recovery for survivors.
