Name Naomi Blake | ||
 | ||
Books Enquiry Statistics: An Analysis of Enquires Asked at Selected Public and Special Libraries in the U.K. | ||
Naomi Blake - Holocaust survivor & sculptor
Naomi Blake (née Dum) is a British sculptor.
Contents
Life
Blake was born in Mukaĉevo, Czechoslovakia (now Mukacheve, Ukraine) to Jewish parents around 1924. The youngest of ten children, Blake was originally named Zisel (meaning sweet) by her parents. She changed her name to Naomi in 1948. She survived the Holocaust as a child in Auschwitz, although many members of her family died there. In 1942, her family included 32 members: four grandparents, her parents, nine siblings, six spouses and ten young nieces and nephews. By 1945 only eight members remained.
After the Second World War, she lived in Milan, Rome and Jerusalem, before making her home in North London. Blake studied at the Hornsey School of Art in London (now Middlesex University), England from 1955 to 1960.
Work
Much of Blake’s work has focused on the expression of her experiences. However her work is principally optimistic, forward looking and positive. It stands determinedly to help keep alive the legacy of the six million slaughtered Jews, as well as promoting Blake's vision for uniting faiths, building understanding between religions and her hope for the future.
She has been exhibiting since 1962. Her work has been exhibited in many galleries, in the UK and overseas.and her sculptures can be seen permanently exhibited on many sites notably Fitzroy Square and St Ethelberga's Church in London, the University of Leicester Scarman Centre and The Holocaust Centre, Nottinghamshire.
Collections
Her works are also in various private collections, including those of the Queen Mother and the Prince of Wales. She is a member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors.