How my grandfather's talent saved him from the Nazis

Art gave me life.

That sounds a bit dramatic, but it is true in every sense. My grandfather was a Jewish painter from Rumania. When the Soviets withdrew from his town, his artistry was noticed by Nazi officers. He was later forced to paint Nazi-related works of art to hang in conference rooms, buildings, and even as roadside propaganda. He mastered the Swastika symbol with pain in his heart, but because of his talent, he could save my family from being taken to concentration camps. His talent allowed him to live and continue on to raise a family. So yes, my statement stands true: Art gave me life. 

When given the opportunity to create art in Berlin, I was skeptical. I knew visiting the birthplace of Nazism would strike a nerve given that my lineage suffered first-hand from this low point in human history. But creating from my small studio space, I quickly realized how empowered I felt. I am a Jewish woman. I am alive. I am free. I am proud to be who I am. And I am creating something beautiful in Germany. 

Art gave me life, which is why I have devoted myself to improve and learn about my craft every day. It saddens me that I never got to meet my grandfather as he passed before I was born. But he left something for me: his talent. He passed on to me the torch of artistry, which I vow to use for good as he did. I, his granddaughter, was the missing element from his story, which came full circle when I painted in Berlin.