zoe abrams
ap-2d portfolio
about my portfolio
How can art capture the essence of a tragedy and our response to tragedy- both hopelessness and hope? Hopelessness is the feeling that comes to those who experience an unimaginable tragedy due to the idea that tragedy was inflicted upon them by another. Hope can be a positive response when people turn their energies forward. Through my work, I wanted to explore my own feelings of hopelessness and hope in response to the horrific terrorist attacks of October 7th and force viewers to confront the idea that the Jewish people will live on.
For my AP portfolio, I initially created political posters that would rally support for the Jewish people, ironically using Russian Constructivism, a style that was previously used to inspire antisemitism. As time progressed, my messages shifted from survival, to fear, ultimately leading to hope. When I travelled to Israel to bear witness to the events, I incorporated more photography into my work to properly document what I saw and learned. I grew more attached to the victims and their stories, and attempted to capture their sense of hope and hopelessness during the attacks.
Concentration 1
Dimensions: 11 x 14
Medium(s): Graphite, Adobe Illustrator
Process: Graphite sketch of mouth screaming, "The People of Israel Live" styled following Russian propaganda.
Concentration 2
Dimensions: 11 x 14
Medium(s): Adobe Illustrator
Process: The year of Kristallnacht shining a spotlight on the events from 10/7/23, casting a shadow.
Concentration 3
Dimensions: 11 x 14
Medium(s): Adobe Illustrator
Process: 241 silhouetted figures representing those kidnapped on 10/7/23 juxtaposed against messages of hope.
Concentration 4
Dimensions: 11 x 14
Medium(s): Adobe Illustrator
Process: Silhouette of a man in despair reacting to the long stream of never ending attacks on his people.
Concentration 5
Dimensions: 11 x 14
Medium(s): Graphite,Adobe Illustrator
Process: Graphite sketch of man's cupped hand over his ear listening for the Hebrew words, "Never Again.”
Concentration 6
Dimensions: 11 x 14
Medium(s): Adobe Illustrator
Process: Disjointed shapes layered with text showing a fractured view of history repeating itself.
Concentration 7
Dimensions: 11 x 14
Medium(s): Adobe Illustrator
Process: Blue lines creating a perspective view of a tunnel with a dove, symbolizing a path to peace.
Concentration 8
Dimensions: 11 x 14
Medium(s): Cannon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera, 18-150 mm Lens, Adobe Illustrator
Process: Photo of bombed home with Hebrew word "Chai" (life), layered on top. Text from AP News report.
Concentration 9
Dimensions: 14 x 11
Medium(s): Cannon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera, 18-150 mm Lens, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Process: Photos of 10/7 survivors, masked and tinted blue, layered with hostage posters - life after tragedy.
Concentration 10
Dimensions: 11 x 14
Medium(s): Cannon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera, 18-150 mm Lens, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Process: Photos of destruction. 2 in b&w to create a stark effect. 1 in color highlighting bullets.
Concentration 11
Dimensions: 10 x 10
Medium(s): Cannon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera, 18-150 mm Lens, Adobe Photoshop
Process: Photo of toy in the rubble of a burnt home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, showing shattered innocence of youth.
Concentration 12
Dimensions: 11 x 14
Medium(s): Cannon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera, 18-150 mm Lens, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator
Process: Photos of a mourning soldier and improvised memorials at the Nova Music Festival Site.
Concentration 13
Dimensions: 14 x 11
Medium(s): Cannon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera, 18-150 mm Lens, Adobe Photoshop
Process: Where the flowers meet the ashes by the road. Photo showing life returning after destruction.
Concentration 14
Dimensions: 14 x 11
Medium(s): Cannon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera, 18-150 mm Lens, Adobe Photoshop
Process: Two photos of the empty Shabbat table from Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, merged in Photoshop.
Concentration 15
Dimensions: 14 x 11
Medium(s): Cannon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera, 18-150 mm Lens, Adobe Photoshop
Process: Photo inside bomb shelter that held Nova Festival attendees. Safety until it wasn't. Nowa memorial
contact me
ADDRESS
5 christopher drive
new city, ny 10956
Phone
(845) 327-7268
zoe@abramsgang.com
