THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE CHAMPAIGN- URBANA JEWISH FEDERATION
“The Auschwitz Experience in the Art of Prisoners”
The Holocaust Education Center of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation is pleased to host the exhibition entitled “The Auschwitz Experience in the Art of Prisoners.” This exhibit presents the fate of the victims of the largest German concentration and extermination camp, KL Auschwitz, through the works of those who survived. Terrible living conditions, worrisome starvation, and continuous tiredness due to exhausting long-lasting work were the inherent elements of the camp’s existence, accompanied by beating and constant humiliation. In their works, the former prisoners – artists – decided to make an attempt at presentation of this hell on earth prepared by the German Nazis.
The exhibit is comprised of artwork by twelve survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. The 24-panel exhibit consists of 60 pieces that depict the experiences the survivors had during the Holocaust. This exhibit has never before been exhibited outside of Europe and is on loan from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Oświęcim, Poland, and sponsored by the Holocaust Education Center of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation.
One of the missions of the CU Jewish Federation (CUJF) is to teach about the Holocaust. This exhibit is a unique opportunity to educate people through art created by Holocaust survivors. The exhibit is especially meaningful to CUJF Executive Director Linda Bauer, as her mother was a survivor of Auschwitz.
Teachers and the general public will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the Holocaust and the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp through the exhibit. Teachers are welcome to bring their students to the exhibit to learn more about this significant event in human history.
For more information about the exhibit or if you are interested in hosting the exhibit contact:
Linda A. Bauer, Executive Director
Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation
503 E. John St.
Champaign, IL 61820
217-367-9872 Cujf@cujf.org
Brian B. Kahn, HEC Co-Direct
