Description
This woodcut-printed tikhl was inspired by many listens to klezmer band, A Glezele Tey’s song zolst shtarkn. At the center, the text zolst shtarkn mayn harts (may you strengthen my heart) appear arranged into the chambers of a heart. They are surrounded by a braided pattern suggesting the interconnectedness of the heart to the rest of the body through the circulatory system, just as each of us is connected to a larger collective body. Encircling the heart text, two spools of thread unwind into candles at the top and a knot at the bottom. This layer is framed by the repetitive text that loops back onto itself: say tsu klogn, say to kempfn (both to grieve and to fight). The thread becoming candles is meant to evoke the practice of feldmestn (cemetery measuring) and using the measuring thread then as wick for soul candles. The bottom knot can symbolize the strong ties we build with each other through deep organizing, or more tangibly the knots involved in banner-dropping and belaying as we use all the tools available to use to fight for a freer world. The corners of the design are dedicated to di vent tsu brekn, di brikn tsu boyen (to tear down walls and build bridges). In the top corners, birds who break through barrier walls, sharing information with each other as they go. In the bottom corners, hands touch in a gesture of warmth and solidarity, while a second pair of hands forms a bridge with a string.
Material: 100% cotton, oil based ink
Dimensions: 15×15″ fabric, 12×12″ design
