WHAT WE FORGOT

This series explores traditional Judaeo-Arabic maxims from the 2,000 year old Jewish community of Syria. Each painting pairs a phrase with a contemporary location or issue, giving the old words new and layered meanings while exploring the cultural overlap that Arab Jews represent. The phrases paint a vivid portrait of a world that disappeared during the last century after over two millennia of continuity.The ancient wisdom that they give over can often have surprising and insightful applications to contemporary realities.

"You Never Know My Goodness Until You Frequent Others"

"He who teaches me even one letter, I will be as a slave to him."

"A house without a close neighbor is worth a thousand Dinar."

"Cursed is the gold necklace that chokes its wearer."

"A thousand incense burners cannot cover the smell of one fart."

"To the intelligent, a hint is sufficient".

"Why does the camel cry? Because his leader is a jackass."

"The stick of punishment will come from God".

" I visited the sultan's palace but my home is best".

"From a rose grows a thorn, from a thorn, a rose".

"A Good Appetite is a Sign of Affection".