Fontamara XII 1947

"Fontamara XII" is a woodcut print by Fayga Ostrower, an artist whose life was deeply shaped by displacement and resilience. Born in Poland in 1920, Ostrower's family fled to Brazil in the 1930s to escape Nazi persecution. This print, with its stark contrasts and evocative imagery, invites us into a world of both light and shadow. The composition, featuring stylized windows and a looming presence above, hints at themes of confinement and observation. We can consider how Ostrower's personal history as a Jewish émigré may have informed her artistic vision. There's an emotional tension palpable in the work, a sense of being caught between worlds. Ostrower once said, "Art is an act of knowledge, of research, of questions." With this in mind, ponder how "Fontamara XII" uses the graphic language of printmaking to pose questions about identity, memory, and the human condition. The artwork encourages us to reflect on our own positions in the world.