Family diary provides inspiration for artist
SYDNEY artist Vivian Falk's latest exhibition of paintings was inspired by the diaries of her father's escape from war-torn Europe in 1939.
CHANTAL ABITBOL
A WEEK before Vivian Falk’s mother died seven years ago, she gave her grown daughter one of the family’s greatest heirlooms: the diaries of Vivian’s father.
On the yellowed pages of the worn, plain-lined notebooks, her father, Fritz Albera, details his escape by boat from war-torn Europe in 1939, his stay in a transit camp in Bratislava, his journey from Prague to Israel, then Mauritius and, finally, to Australia. Alongside his accounts are photographs, letters and drawings.
Earlier this year, Falk, 59, a well-known Sydney artist, began translating her father’s words -— originally written in Czech and German -— into English.
“My parents never really talked about it,” says Falk, whose mother was also a Holocaust survivor. “They just moved on with life. But it’s only when you read through and go back that you can really understand a little bit.”
Discovering the full force of the diaries’ content -— and her father’s struggle -— inspired her to incorporate extracts from the notebooks into her collection titled Life’s Moments, currently on display at the Jewish Museum of Australia in Melbourne.
The exhibit is a sort of family timeline — starting with her father’s writings and sketches during and after the war. Where he finishes, Falk picks up with 14 oil paintings depicting modern-day Jewish life: her daughter as a bride decked in a white wedding gown, men dancing the hora, grandfathers-to-be sitting in a hospital waiting room.
“Jewish life does continue,” Falk says triumphantly. “My father did go through the meanings of being Jewish. He [asked] should he stay Jewish or give it all up. But he chose to remain Jewish, which is a real credit.
“I think that’s what he’d like to pass on. That no matter what, life always goes on. That’s what I tried to do in this exhibition -— to show all the simchas and the joy. I’m hoping children will come and see it and understand a bit about the Holocaust and life, and what my parents went through to get to Australia.”
The series is part of a larger collection by the same title that Falk started a few years ago, beginning with a portrait of Malcolm Turnbull in repose, which earned her a finalist place in the 2007 Archibald Prize.
From there, she went on to paint other notable personalities, such as the late media tycoon Kerry Packer’s wife, Roslyn Packer, drummer John Morrison and musician James Morrison. So far, the collection includes 25 paintings and counting.
Meanwhile, the accolades continue. Her portrait of James Morrison titled Music Man was selected as a finalist in the 2008 Black Swan Prize for Portraiture, and her painting of John Morrison titled On The Road Again -— currently on exhibit at Sydney’s Mosman Art Gallery -— also received a finalist nod in the Mosman Art Prize.
Her portrait of Packer titled In Conversation will also be on show next month as part of the Canberra Portrait Artists of Australia exhibition, Unsung Heroes.
“They’re all finalists. I’m still only the bridesmaid and not the bride,” Falk laughs, before continuing, “I’m still honoured. It’s pretty amazing.”
Life’s Moments is currently on display at the Gross Gallery, Jewish Museum of Australia, until Sunday, September 6. Enquiries: (03) 8534 3600.
Unsung Heroes is currently on display at Parliament House in Canberra until September 29. Enquiries: 0404 036 303.