Lynda Ballen
THE BLUE OF THE SEA AND THE SKY AND OF THE SHTETL…TEKHELET 1
Size Framed: 1030 x 490mm
Medium: Handmade paper laminated over cotton thread with gouache and black pencil crayon
In this artwork, the artist used fabric dyes derived from natural sources to depict Tekhelet, biblically known to be produced by the marine snail, Murex trunculus. This sea snail is known to produce a unique substance that, when processed, becomes the colour dye that Jews are commanded to affix to the corners of their tzitzit as a reminder that they are G-d’s kingdom of priests. The colour also is in recognition of the blue of the sea and of the sky and of Hashem’s holy throne. The artist used handmade paper laminated over cotton thread with gouache and black pencil crayon.