SHIMRA STARR
illustration+design
What is your vision
KEDOSHIM PROJECT
I first got the idea to paint the victims of 10/7 a few days after the massacre occurred. I was on X and saw the hashtag #ShaniLouk being shared everywhere with that horrible video of her broken body being taken into Gaza on the back of a pickup truck. It made me want to vomit. The feelings of anger, helplessness and straight up depression were overwhelming. I felt horrible for Shani's parents, and deeply saddened that this was how she would be remembered. I wanted to help in some way and I thought "I can do a portrait of Shani as she was, happy, alive. The way she SHOULD be. And then add the hashtag so maybe her friends, relatives and loved ones can see something positive instead. See that even a stranger cared enough to remember her and memorialize her."
The first painting was rough. I cried throughout. I talked to Shani's soul. And with every subsequent painting, I tried my best to research the subjects, learn their names, what they were like and then speak to them as I work. Are they listening? I would love to think so! And even if it's just wishful thinking - it's been a combination of therapy and spiritual healing. And the only way I was able to process my grief, as a mother, a Jew, and a Zionist. I call this set of portraits "The Kedoshim Project". I originally planned to do 20 paintings, but now feel that's too limiting. I am hoping to paint all 1300 victims, a very audacious goal and it will likely take me up to 20 years. That's ok - if that's my life's work, I can't imagine anything better.
SHANI LOUK
RUTH & ARIK PERETZ
Shani Louk. The reason I started this project. I wanted to share an image of her as she lived, in joy. Free. Beautiful. Gouache, marker on pastel paper. "She was a free soul who loved to travel around the world...Louk was also a "convinced pacifist" and refused to undergo the usually compulsory military service for Israelis. But her dual citizenship helped her and she never enrolled", Shani's aunt Orly in an interview with Der Spiegel.
Gouache, ink, marker on pastel paper. In a eulogy, the kibbutz noted that the family “lived a peaceful and happy life on the same kibbutz where Johnny grew up. But on that terrible day, it was all cut short — too quickly, and far too soon. The Kedem family was a happy family until their last moments. That’s how we’ll always remember them.” - From the Times of Israel
Gouache, ink, marker on Arches 300lb watercolor paper. Given Noya's love of all things Harry Potter, I found it fitting to add the symbol of the Deathly Hallows, signifying triumph over tragedy and death. Because we will always remember them and not those who took their lives so cruelly.
Gouache, ink, watercolor paper and marker on pastel paper. “On the day they were murdered, we were supposed to visit them. Aviv organized an annual kite festival along the fence with Gaza to show them that we just want to live in peace,” - Adi Levy Salama
Gouache and watercolor pencil on Arches watercolor paper. "Erick had taken Ruth, who was born with cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy, used a wheelchair, to the festival because of her love of music. For years he would go to these festivals and bring Ruth, because it made her really happy and she loved it,” Ya’arit Peretz, Erick’s daughter and Ruth’s sister, told Ynet. 'There were times he would take her and she didn’t want to come home. It was their tradition, to go to festivals.'"
Gouache and marker on watercolor paper. Liel was “friendly and sensitive to all, both children and adults. Liel blossomed outside of the classroom. Her peers described her as a great girl who loved to go crazy with her friends — a troublemaker with a pure heart, a girl with a huge laugh.” Yannai’s teacher described him as “a leader among his peers and an amazing friend. He was funny and amicable, always ready to brighten the room with his humor and warmth.”
Gouache on watercolor paper. On October 7th, Ori was at the Nova festival. He managed to escape but he headed back towards the festival to rescue his friends. In his story, you can almost hear the words of Psalm 27, pulsating through him: "G‑d is my light (Ori) and my salvation. Whom then should I fear? G‑d is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men come near me, to ravage my body, these aggressors, and enemies …" From an essay on Chabad.org by Lori Esses.
Gouache and colored pencil on watercolor paper. 'In the serene setting of Park Ashkelon, the Kapshetar family was enjoying a peaceful camping trip, celebrating young Ethan’s upcoming fifth birthday. The family— Dina and Evgeny, and their children Aline, 8, and Ethan, 5—was known for their love of nature and the joy they found in each other’s company. This trip was meant to be a special occasion to create cherished memories. As the sun rose on October 7, the tranquility was shattered."
Hadar and Itay Berdichesky hy”d. Gouache and colored pencil on Arches watercolor paper. “Hadar and Itay Berdichesky, both 30, were killed in their home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza as they tried to protect the lives of their 10-month-old twins. The twins, who had been hidden by their parents in their home’s reinforced room, survived." - from the Times of Israel