Fannie Basmak Black

I’ve been going through the archival documents and photos of our family and trying to find out all I can about the Russian origins of my family.

This is a collage portrait of Fannie Simonowsky; who lived to be 103. Most of the documents I’m referring to in this project come from her archives. She saved everything, and labelled almost everything, which has been a huge help in piecing together family history. She was the first member of my family to attend college. She was a teacher in Harlem from the 1930s- 1960s.

This piece is part of a collection of pieces called “World Of My Mothers.” I began by making linocuts collage portraits of family members, and Fox scribbled around the people, and both of our lines were used to create collage portraits of my family members. Each portrait also contains photocopies of original family documents. In this portrait, there are copies of some of the Yiddish letters in my family collection, as well as a translation of one of the letters.

Edith Basmak Halpern

I’ve been going through the archival documents and photos of our family and trying to find out all I can about the Russian origins of my family.

This is a collage portrait of my grandmother. She married my grandfather Lou in 1947 and they lived in Pennsylvania where my grandfather started a slacks business: Slacks By Halpern. Lou had grown up learning to sew from my grandmother, Sadie, who worked in the garment sweatshops of New York.

This piece is part of a collection of pieces called “World Of My Mothers.” I began by making linocuts collage portraits of family members, and Fox scribbled around the people, and both of our lines were used to create collage portraits of my family members. Each portrait also contains photocopies of original family documents. In this portrait, there are copies of some of the Yiddish letters in my family collection, as well as a translation of one of the letters.

Sadie Ehrlich Halpern

I’ve been going through the archival documents and photos of our family and trying to find out all I can about the Russian origins of my family.

This is a collage portrait of my great- grandmother, Sadie Halpern. She and her husband migrated to the US in the early 1900’s, fleeing the pogroms in Austria. She worked in the garment industry in the lower east side of New York, spent many years of her life until her death living in the Bronx, and lived to be 104 years old. She was renowned for her pierogis.

This piece is part of a collection of pieces on my ancestors called “World Of My Mothers.” I began by making linocuts collage portraits of family members, and Fox scribbled around the people, and both of our lines were used to create collage portraits of my family members. Each portrait also contains photocopies of original family documents. In this portrait, there are copies of some of the Yiddish letters in my family collection, as well as a translation of one of the letters. Created in 2018.

Intergenerational Stroll

This is a six color woodblock and reduction linoleum block print. The scribble lines were drawn by my four year old kid. It’s a print inspired by my Aunt Betty Lou who suggested I create an intergenerational cat print. The image is of my Grandpop Lou Halpern, who lived to be 95 years old, walking with his grandkid. This is a part of a print series called “Cooperation Cats.” Image created in 2019. It is available here for purchase.

Cooperation Cats: Love, Resistance, Justice

his is a five color reduction cut linoleum block. It’s very thick ink layers, so it feels like a painting. Thick thick texture. Each one is unique and has it’s own unique flaws and character, so expect some print variation if you purchase one. It’s part of what makes each one a sort of unique print painting.This is a part of a print series called “Cooperation Cats.” 2017.

Communal Dinner

This is a 9 color rainbow roll reduction cut linoleum block print with spray paint. It’s very thick ink layers, so it feels like a painting. Thick thick texture. Each one is unique and has it’s own unique flaws and character, so expect some print variation if you purchase one. It’s part of what makes each one a sort of unique print painting. This is part of a series of reduction linoleum block prints called “Cooperation Cats.” The project began in 2009, and features cats collaborating in various forms of mutual aid. 2017. Available for purchase at this link.