From Holocaust Survivor to Artistic Icon: Martha Ash's Journey of Resilience and Creativity 🎨✨
💬 "Raw & Real: GenZ Conversations with Faye
In this episode Faye discusses Martha Ash. She is a student journalist with us on a placement organised by the Oxford University Career Services. This article was self edited. Faye wrote a short 2 min read article about Martha Ash with a summary inforgraphic.
Martha Ash, formerly known as Martha Wagner, was born in Zloczow, Poland. From a young age, her mother, an experienced milliner with a passion for art, nurtured Martha's creative pursuits. Tragically, her mother, along with Ash's first husband and other family members, fell victim to the Holocaust. Despite being interned, Martha managed to escape and find refuge with a Polish family. She eventually remarried and settled in Crakow after the war.
Ash worked as an interpreter before her relocation to Melbourne, Australia. She moved there with her husband and daughter. Her proficiency in languages was an advantage. She spoke Polish, French, German, Ukrainian, Russian, Yiddish, English, and Italian. This diverse linguistic ability is also reflected in her artistic endeavors. Ash showcased her talent in various mediums including ceramics, mosaics, painting, jewelry, and enameling. Her versatility with materials became well-known and admired.
Throughout her artistic career, glass played a significant role in Martha Ash's work. She created copper pieces like "Rainbow Over Melbourne" (1995). It depicted the view of Fitzroy from her apartment window, as a tribute to the city she arrived in. Additionally, she crafted commemorative artworks. Such as "From Creation to Redemption" (1990), which found its place in Temple Beth Israel in St Kilda. Ash drew inspiration from her personal experiences. Mainly reflecting on the connection between suffering and artistic creation. She shared her thoughts with Museums Victoria, stating, "I experienced pain and fear once again, similar to what I felt during the war…I may have been too weak to wield a gun, but I could use my finger to guide each piece of glass."
Throughout her life, Martha Ash played an active role in both the artistic and Jewish communities of Melbourne. She was a dedicated member of organizations such as the Malvern Arts Society. The Victorian Artists Society. And, the Belazel Fellowship of Arts. Ash also utilized her cultural and creative heritage in her role as executive governor of the Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. She also held the post of vice-president of the Jewish Society of Arts in Australia.
Her artworks serve as a celebration of color, joy, and life. As a Holocaust survivor, Martha Ash's creations continue to inspire and evoke emotions in a modern context. Leaving a lasting impact for generations to come.
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