Gertrude Abramson
Artist Statement
Resume
ARTIST STATEMENT: for Board review:
Gertrude Abramson
PO Box 89
Artist Statement for Board 2020
I am an artist, Zen priest, and Hospital Chaplain/ teacher/supervisor. I have created art all through my life. I first came up to the
Catskills in 1982 to study Zen Buddhism at Mt.Tremper Monastery, where I stayed for nearly 12 years (transmitted to in 1998). I left
the Monastery to study to become a certified chaplain and later a certified chaplain supervisor. I have worked in almost all NYC
Hospitals (from 1998-2014) as well as Vassar Brothers Medical Center (2014-2020).
I was instrumental in developing The New York Zen Center of NYC, and was a Core teacher and Educational Director for 8 years.
I also taught and created curriculum for Care-givers throughout the NY area, as well as offering numerous workshops, which
covered many topics (care-giving, death and dying, aging, Buddhist practices and Alternative Modalities of Care, among others).
After leaving NYC in 2014 I returned to the Catskills to live in Chichester.
During my entire life I have been creating art (collage, painting, sculpture, mixed media). I studied at the Art Students League
(1970s), and obtained a BFA from Alfred University and an MDIV equivalency from ACPE (chaplains supervisors).
I joined WAAM in 2006, and have had numerous shows in NYC as well as upstate galleries, and received many Honorable
mentions, Awards, magazine interviews (1
st
prize in the Pastel Journal), many solo and group shows, etc; (WAAM Solo Show in
2009, Phyllis M DePaul Memorial Award, and the Sally Jacobs/Phoebe Towbin Highest Award for Excellence in 2014, to name a
few.
I wish to join the WAAM Board in order to represent and be a moral and ethical voice for the Catskill Artists whose art I have loved
and admired on the walls of WAAM for many years. During these difficult times of Covid it feels especially important to bring our
local community of artists together in ways that we can support one another and help to create an atmosphere where artists can
once again show and share their work. I am passionate about this intention and will do my sinceere best.
ARTIST STATEMENT: for collages
My work space is covered with fragments of things from the past and present. Images connect to moments in time, to things half forgotten, to dreams and future fantasies. I tramp through chaos, noises, smells, joys and fears…I work on…something catches my eye. I stare beyond the image, to its time and space. I place it where it pulls me. I change it, relocate, reconnect and before me a new reality emerges. It has its own life now, and if it works…I’m caught in the snare of conclusion.
ARTIST STATEMENT: for painting
I sit in front of a person, flower or landscape and wait for a connection. It’s like falling in love, allowing the “other” to move into my breath and through my hands. When this happens I am led by the desire to somehow find the way to mark this
Gertrude Abramson
PO Box 89
Chichester, NY 12416
jinpumukan@yahoo.com
web site: Ulster Arts online
“Rocks and Water” 2-person show at ASK Gallery in Kingston, NY, June 1-29, 2019
“ABSTRAKT” Group Show, Emerge Gallery in Saugerties, NY, July 7-30, 2018
Have had 7 shows at ASK (Arts Society of Kingston) 2017/2018
WAAM 2018
• July 21-August 26, 2018, “Focus Show” (10-person show, multiple pieces), “Surveying the Landscape”, Juror: Thomas Sarrantonio,
• Have been in 6 juried show in 2018
WAAM 2017
Alan Koff Award (Juror’s Choice)
• Have been in 9 shoes in 2017
WAAM: 2016 -(Woodstock Artist Association and Museum)
• Have been in 11 shows in 2017
WAAM: 2015 -(Woodstock Artist Association and Museum)
• Have been in 13 shows in 2015
WAAM: 2014 -(Woodstock Artist Association and Museum)
• Have been in 9 shows in 2014
• Sally Jacobs/Phoebe Towbin Highest Award for Excellence (2014)
2014: “Summer Arts Invitational 2” (4-person show)
Gallery Kehillat Lev Shalem, Woodstock, NY
July 13 - August 24, 2014
2013: WSA (Woodstock School of Art)
• Robert Angeloch Gallery: “Black and White Exhibit”,
Phyllis M DePaul Memorial Award (grand prize) for “WaterWorks”, juror Peik Larsen: May18-July 6, 2013.
WAAM: 2013- (Woodstock Artist Association and Museum)
• Have been in 11 shows in 2013
• Harriet Tannin Award for” high artistic merit”: for ‘Peekamoose Falls”
• Small Works: February 9March 3
2012: Phoenicia Arts Gallery (three person show)
WAAM: 2012-(Woodstock Artist Association and Museum)
• Have been in 13 shows in 2012
• Far and Wide: 4th Annual Regional Show: (2 pieces) May12-June 10, Juror David Ross
• Recent Work: Feb 11-March 4; juror Ed Smith… “People’s Choice award”
WAAM: 2011-(Woodstock Artist Association and Museum)
• Have been in 9 shows in 2011
• Small Works : “Juror’s Choice”: November 19-December 31: Juror Carlo Travaglia
Pastel Journal 2010 Competition
• Won First Prize in the “Still-Life” category.
Interview and write-up in the April Magazine, 2010
WAAM: 2010-(Woodstock Artist Association and Museum)
• Have been in 13 shows in 2010
• Small works: September 11-October 11th: juror Hy Varon “Honorable Mention”
WAAM: 2009
• Have been in 7 shows in 2009
• Into the Mix:10/17-11/15: mixed media juried by Tim Thayer, “Honorable Mention”
• Energy, Spirit and Vision: 6/25-7/23, juror: Jean Young…received “Honorable mention”
WAAM: Solo Show (Woodstock Artist Association and Museum)
July 25- August 23, 2009
ETC:
The following are from NYC and NY Galleries
UPATATE ARTS GALLERY
• Phoenicia Edges: 3/14-4/14/07
WASHINGTON SQUARE EAST GALLERY, New York City 2006
INQUIRING MIND ART GALLERY, Saugerties, NY
• “Spiritual Hermits Come Out of Hiding Except…for Mark Who Remains Cloistered”
Three person show: 4/15-5/15/06
The following shows happened before 2000:
One-Woman Shows
• 1992: “Spiritual Collages” Parnasus Gallery, Woodstock, New York
• 1991: “Spiritual Collages” Healthcare Chaplaincy, NYC, New York
• 1987: “Spiritual Collages” Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, New York
• 1986: “Religious Art” Himalayan Institute, NYC, New York
• 1984: “Meditation Art” Himalayan Institute, NYC, New York
Group Show in Woodstock, New York:
• 3-person show in Arts Upstairs (Sept12-Oct16)
• 1994: 2-person show : “Run-Off”, site specific, Elaina Zang Gallery, Woodstock, New York
• 1993: “Spirit and Art”, Mirabai Gallery, Woodstock, New York
Group show (4-person) in Hudson, NY
• 2009: Carrie Haddad Gallery in Hudson, NY:
4-person show July-Aug
Shows in Saugherties:
• Three person show in Saugherties, NY
• 2007: Spiritual Art, Saugherties, NY
Group Shows In New York City:
• 1987: “Mini-Max #5” NOW Gallery NYC, NY
• 1987: Selections 36” Drawing Center, NYC, New York
• 1986: “Photocrafts” Brookfirld Craft Center Gallery, CT. (guest curator Laurie Klein)
• 1985: “Icons” Todd Capp Gallery NYC, New York
• 1985: “Mini-Max #4” NOW Gallery NYC, New York
• 1985: “Women” Todd Capp Gallery NYC, New York
• 1985: “Micro-Weave” NOW Gallery NYC, New York
• 1985: “Icons” School of Sacred Arts NYC, New York
• 1985: “Save The Children” Renald C. Kerr Gallery NYC, New York (juried: Allen Stone)
• 1985: “Small Works Show” Washington Square East Gallery NYC (juried: Allen Stone)
• 1984: “August Mixer” M-13 Gallery NYC, New York
• 1984: “Small Works Show” Washington Square East Gallery NYC ( juried Carroll Janis)
Other Shows
• 1984: “#5 Annual Women’s National” Triangle Gallery in Washington DC
• 1982: Traveling Show from Rochester “Pastel Still Life”
• Many other local shows in and around NY State
• In many private collections including Himalayan Institute and Zen Mountain Monastery
Awards and scholarships
• 2005: Silver Medal Spirit Pastel Award, Salmagundi,Club, NYC
• 1987: Honorarium, Drawing Center (Funded by Nat’l Endowments for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts
• 1983: Board of Control Scholarship (Art Students League, NYC)
• 1983: Issac Soyer Merit Scholarship (Art Students League, NYC)
• 1982 First Prize from the Pastel Society of America, NYC
• 1977: Merit Scholarship (Art Students League, NYC)
• 1976: (Art Students League, NYC)
Previous profession
• Principal dancer for Bot D’or in Tel Aviv
• Soloist in Les Grandes Ballet Canadian
• Harkness Ballet Company
• Cincinnati Ballet company
• Hartford Ballet Company
Education
• 1998: Received Dharma Transmission in The Fire Lotus Order, White Plum: as a Zen Sensei and Priest
• 1986-2008: certified ACPE and APC chaplain/supervisor at HealthCare Chaplaincy, NYC, New York
• 1979-1981: Alfred University: BFA in painting and sculpture
• 1976: Apprenticed (woodworking and marble carving) under Jose DeCreeft
• Art Students League from 76-83, & 2002-06