Artist Inspired by The Month of Av
Arielle Stein is a Brooklyn based visual artist. In these two works, she focuses on the tensions between destruction, grief, love, joy, and regeneration; powerful themes present in the month of Av.
Arielle Stein is "drawn to the month of Av mostly in relation to the extremity of the emotional space that it holds, which gives [her] a framework for considering the intensity of [her] personal experience, as well as the larger human experience."
She continues, "Earth and those upon it experience destruction, horror and grief, as well as ecstasy, joy and sexuality or love in a myriad of ways. These experiences can certainly intertwine, and the closeness of these two holidays may serve as a marker of this reality."
Arielle Stein, Trail, Av: Ink on Paper, 9”x12”
The first image, "Trail, Av" depicts the body trailing darkness behind it, physical and/or metaphorical.
The second, "Field, Av" shows two people in the midst of horror, ecstatic joy, or both, in the fields outside of the city (either in relation to its destruction, or the sexuality/love based rituals of Tu B'Av).
Arielle Stein, Field, Av: Ink and Pastel on Paper, 12”x16”
Arielle Stein received her BFA from NYU in 2014 and recently completed a year of study at Mechon Hadar. She is currently plotting her future as a potential Rabbi, and artist.
More of Arielle’s work can be found at ariellesteinstudio.com and on Instagram @relstein.