Location: United States
Shelley Moskowitz Lowenstein (aka Mosklow) is a keen observer of people and places. She has a passion for capturing moments in time, scenes of people engaged in the casual interactions that course through a typical day. She focuses on gesture and body language, and delights in exploring the relationships between her figures, how they look at one another, how they stand or sit in relation to one another, incorporating all these impressions onto the canvas. Using the interplay of light and shadow, she paints scenes that hit the pause button on the hustle of everyday life.
Color is essential in Lowenstein’s painted stories. Her work escapes from dullness and celebrates simple pleasures with color, energy, and intensity. And she delights in creating some mystery. By rarely rendering full features, Lowenstein depicts what she observes, even what she thinks people are thinking and feeling, but leaving it to the onlooker to fill in the blanks.
But the pandemic has changed her ability to be out and about, celebrating everyday life.
And so, she began a series of paintings called MY COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THEE which focuses on timely political, social, cultural issues. At the beginning of the pandemic, she jumped feet first into a new work based on mask wearing as a political choice. While the scientists were learning about the virus, some citizens flaunted their rights not to wear masks. And so began, the Great American Mask Divide, also known as My Brother’s Keeper, a triptych where masks separate survivors into pods.
Lowenstein then began noticing the growing number of homeless camps that sprouted throughout her city. Carefully, with social distancing, she started a series of portraits of homeless and maskless adults.
“This is such a sad time in our history,” explained Lowenstein. It needs to be documented and never forgotten.”
Lowenstein has exhibited her paintings in juried, group and solo shows throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Her paintings are held in private collections in the USA and abroad and she has completed a number of commissions.
The pandemic has changed Lowenstein's ability to be out and about, celebrating everyday life.
And so, she began a series of paintings called MY COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THEE which focuses on timely political, social, cultural issues. At the beginning of the pandemic, she jumped feet first into a new work based on mask wearing as a political choice. While the scientists were learning about the virus, some citizens flaunted their rights not to wear masks. And so began, the Great American Mask Divide, also known as My Brother’s Keeper, a triptych where masks separate survivors into pods.
Please look closely. There are outlines of citizens who are no longer with us, as the covid virus has run its course into the next phase. At last count, November 2020, there over 230,000 Americans lost to the coronavirus
“My Brothers' Keeper OR The GREAT American Mask Divide”
The pandemic has changed Lowenstein's ability to be out and about, celebrating everyday life through narrative painting.
And so, she began a series of paintings called MY COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THEE which focuses on timely political, social, cultural issues. At the beginning of the pandemic, she jumped feet first into a new work based on mask wearing as a political choice. While the scientists were only just learning about the virus, some citizens flaunted their rights not to wear masks. And so began, the Great American Mask Divide, also known as My Brother’s Keeper, a triptych where masks separate survivors into pods.
At last count, the beginning of November 2020, there were over 230,000 Americans who succumbed to the Coronavirus.
Please look closely. You will notice the faint silohuettes of citizens no longer with us.
“DETAIL My Brothers' Keeper OR The Great American Mask Divide”
