Artist’s Statement

Rabbi Gila Colman Ruskin is passionate about Mosaic Midrash. Passages from the Bible or liturgy or Jewish folk music gather layers of meaning as they are crafted into colorful, 3-D mosaics.

Her mosaics are assembled from broken ceramic, glass beads, rocks, shells, costume jewelry, iridescent tiles, coins, archaeological shards, stones, and assorted found objects. Materials are often donated by her students, congregants, and friends or found in thrift shops, yard sales, or salvage yards.

The mosaics are meant to be touched. They are meant to enhance our understanding of the text, and to stimulate our senses. Other people are invited to add to the composition with their ideas and materials, but especially with their hands, gluing and grouting. And a new midrash is created, opening our minds and our hearts.