Renanah (Rani) Halpern
I am a visual artist whose work is primarily based upon traditional Jewish sources and texts. I consider my art visual midrash – visual interpretation of texts, ritual and symbols.
I specialize in papercutting and one-of-a-kind commissioned ketubot (marriage documents). My work has been commissioned by synagogues, community organizations, and individuals.
I was a Bush Artist Fellowship finalist (2008), and taught middle school visual/Jewish art for many years.
I pushed myself to explore new ways of working with materials when making artwork for each of our group exhibits. I explored layering abstract lettering in both the Prayer and Soul pieces, layering cut papers for the Kabbalah and Community artwork, layering poured inks exploring Creation and Knowing, and cut paper forms in the Life, Loss, Legacy piece.