Heritage Quest

“HERITAGE QUEST”
A sculptural retrospective into the life of Russian / Jewish Immigrants
Designed and created by
Artist Diana Sorkin Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase Regrant in partnership with the Council on the Arts & Humanities for Staten Island (COAHSI).
Introduction. The Heritage Quest sculpture is a visual retrospective of the difficult life Jewish families experienced in Russia over the past 100 years. Growing up Jewish in Russia and living behind the Iron Curtain, my family as all Jewish families, had to conceal their identity and suppress our Jewish culture in order to protect loved ones and escape prosecution. Over many years we were brainwashed to believe being Jewish was a sin, a curse. Unable to practice our Jewish faith and celebrate our Jewish/ Russian culture, millions of Jewish families fled Russia to give their children and grandchildren the opportunity to live free, learn and prosper. Many, as my family choose to immigrate to the United States.
Sculpture Description. The Heritage Quest sculpture presented takes the form of a Jewish Star dressed with a collage on each portion of the Star. It captures life in the difficult past and the recent days on our way to religious freedom and prosperity. The tree in the collage is depicted without roots, to emphasize the little we know of our past but the collage of pictures, groups of people, demonstrates the strength in numbers, families still determined to provide their children and grandchildren with a chance to learn, grow and prosper.
The Jewish people in the pictures from our early days in Russia show the lack of smiles. In government’s effort to restrict personal growth, Russian Jews were taught not to smile, were forced to surrender their identity and abandon their religious beliefs. They suffered in silence in order to avoid discrimination, exile and even death…
My Message. I am passionate about creating art. To me it is a source of endless inspiration. Every project represents a new challenge of bringing other people’s feelings and visions to life. Living in the United States we all have the freedom and the ability to be who we are and to embrace our cultural and spiritual identity. Immigrating to the United States has afforded me the opportunity to be an artist and express myself without being afraid for my life.
I thank God for the inspiration and my family for their support. Despite all these challenges, these people persevered and preserved the knowledge of being Jewish in order to pass it on to the next generations. There are many who contribute to a successful project; my sculpture would not have been possible without the stories (sometimes difficult stories) and pictures (old and recent) shared by a very special group of people who I have listed below. These people have as I have benefited from the sacrifices our ancestors made over the last 100 years. We thank them and hope you also will acknowledge their sacrifices and determination to live free.
Significant Contributions to this Project. I appreciate all the contributions made to this project, my sponsors COAHSI and JP Morgan Chase. The COJECO organization, Alex Kreymerman, Danny, Anna and Erik Braz, Emma Dukhovny, Paul Kvitnitsky, Irene and Ilya Yusim, Leo Rotman, Yakov and Svetlana Ezra, Alfred Saulo, Rabbi Lester Polonsky, the Staten Island JCC and especially my parents, Mila and Vladimir Sorkin, and my children Rebecca and Benjamin. Thank you all!
See more of Diana’s work at http://www.dianasmurals.com/

Fairy tales for all!

Do you believe in fairy tales?I do. At least on days when I'm painting them. Magical kingdoms come alive, characters spring to life,

fairy dust glitters, butterflies dance. My imagination takes you on a vivid journey. I love painting whimsical details for kids. a kite here, a ladybug there.

I want my murals to be an experience that lasts and brings a smile every time someone looks at them. Childhood happens only once and if you believe in a fairy tale as a child you'll believe in your dreams when you are older.

By the way, the girl who lives in this room is convinced she'll be a princess when she grows up.

A walk in Central Park.

We all love New York City, but not all of us can afford living there or don't have the time to visit it as often as we'd like.
Murals are agreat way to reinvent any setting.

I have to admit some of my clients have wild imagination. Inspiration comes easy and takes you on a great adventure. Recently I painted a wraparound mural of central park for a little girl's bedroom.
Clouds overhead, bridges, pond, carousel and even a ZOO with fuzzy and not so fuzzy animals changed an ordinary room into a magical place. Needless to say,

I loved the idea and had a great experience.

As I transform my client's bare walls I go on a journey with them.

Sometimes it's hard to say good bye
but I have pictures which I enjoy sharing with friends and family alike.

For more ideas visit me at www.dianasmurals.com

Remembering 9/11

Inspiration is a momentary vision. It strikes you in an instant and if you don't capture it it passes by. A sweet, tender or a sad experience may highten your sences. I feel blessed because I live an inspired life. Recently US Coast Guard commisioned me to paint a mural at Fort Wafdworth, NY base. The bravery and heroism of the men and women who protect us is depicted in this painting.

Inspiration was right there in front of me.

I feel honored to have been chosen for this occasion. The backdrop is the cityscape of New York with the twin towers. Eventhough it's been years, I still feel that New York is incomplete without the "silent brothers" standing there.

"U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) New York is one of thirteen Anti-Terrorism Teams strategically located in key ports throughout the United States. Coast Guard MSSTs were created under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 in direct response to the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, and are a critical part of the United States Department of Homeland Security's layered strategy, directed at protecting key seaports and waterways. MSSTs provide waterborne security and anti-terrorism force protection for strategic shipping, high interest vessels, and critical maritime infrastructure. As part of the Coast Guard's Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) community, MSSTs are a quick response force capable of rapid nationwide deployment via air, ground, or sea transportation, in response to changing threat conditions and evolving Maritime Homeland Security mission requirements. Shortly after the commissioning of MSST New York, Ms. Sorkin was called upon to create a mural representing the unit and its dynamic operational capabilities. Her mural includes tactical small boats, K-9 operations, helicopter vertical insertion, and a specialized counter terrorism team all positioned against a backdrop of the majestic New York City skyline. When Ms. Sorkin revealed her finished artwork in 2009, MSST New York was thrilled with the results and especially proud to have their operational capabilities showcased while ever diligently protecting the greatest city in the world."

LCDR Mike Hosey Commanding Officer Maritime Safety & Security Team 91106 Staten Island, New York