Abstract

Nearly eight decades ago in 1938 the Wallach brothers, Moritz and Julius, along with their families were forced from their homeland due to the anti-Semitism pervasive in Nazi Germany. Before their displacement, the brothers made their livelihood by collecting, creating, and reproducing German folk art. The Holocaust scattered both the family, and their collection of handmade folk art and craft was dispersed. Passion and artistry fueled the Wallach brothers’ success and led them to emerge as two of the most instrumental German folk art collectors and preservationists before World War II. Traditional art collected for their museum, The Wallach House of Folk Art, included textiles, wood blocks, clothing, and decorated furniture. This research and corresponding artwork explores how traditional German folk art and family history can be represented within contemporary ceramic artwork. The history, patterns, and styles present in pre-war folk art were investigated over a five-week period at historic locations, museum archives, and local art manufacturers throughout Europe. The thorough analysis of the Wallach history was conducted with assistance from local historians and folk art scholars. Artwork inspired by this research examines the history of Jewish and German folk art. The artist also explores the future of Wallach art and artifacts within a contemporary creative context by applying a combination of color, form, and design. This research and corresponding body of artwork delves into themes of transformation, reclamation, and growth beyond traditional historic analysis.

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