“ABRAHAM: Out of One, Many” Completes Global Tour in Connecticut

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A press release from international arts NGO/non-profit CARAVAN:

The two and half year global tour of our peacebuilding exhibition “ABRAHAM: Out of One, Many,” held its final stop in West Hartford, Connecticut (October 5 – November 16, 2021). It was hosted at the Chase Gallery in the Mandell JCC, in partnership with Hartford International University for Religion and Peace and the John P. Webster Library.

Commenting on the exhibition, the Mandell JCC said, “I want to let you know how honored we were to have had an opportunity to host this amazing exhibit. The timing of Abraham/Out of One Many was perfect – just what the world needs right now…and helped us to see what we have in common and not what makes us different. It was great watching patrons studying the exhibit guides as they viewed the artwork.”  Here are a few quotes from the comment book.

“Powerful and stunning.”

“Excellent and thought provoking.”

“The artistic capturing of the Abrahamic faith/affinity was moving and targeted the importance of seeing another’s interpretation.”

“A moving exhibit on the oneness of humanity which we need to remember even more in these divisive times.”

“Art can be an effective agent in changing people’s misunderstandings,” says David Jacobs, Executive Director of the Mandell JCC. “A show such as this serves as a force for social change and plays an important role in framing and renewing culture. We are truly honored to have hosted this extraordinary exhibition.”

“CARAVAN has been an effective vehicle for ongoing interfaith engagement for years,” says The Rev. Dr. David D. Grafton, Academic Dean & Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at Hartford International University. “I am delighted we could play a part in this international exhibition.”

The exhibition involved three acclaimed contemporary artists of Middle Eastern heritage — Qais Al Sindy, Sinan Hussein and Shai Azoulay — from Christian, Muslim, and Jewish faith traditions. Each artist created paintings that focus on five specific themes from Abraham’s life that can guide the world today in living more harmoniously, and interpreting these themes for a contemporary context. Having opened in Rome in May 2019, it then toured in Europe to Paris and Edinburgh, and then throughout the US (Omaha, NE, Boston, MA, Jacksonville, FL, Houston, TX, Laramie, Rock Springs and Lander, WY, concluding in Hartford, CT).

In addition to an opening program, an array of programming took place associated around the exhibition, including the following panel events and webinars:

“The Children of Abraham: Sharing Stories, Sharing Lives” – October 14

“To Love Your Neighbor, You Must Know Your Neighbor” – October 18

“Hagar as a model of faith: a Jewish and Muslim perspective” – October 28

“Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, and the God Who Sees” – November 4

 Special thanks to the Mandell JCC, Hartford International University of Religion and Peace, and the John P. Webster Library for hosting the exhibition in Hartford, CT.