Yona Verwer (NOAH)

Yona Verwer

A New Beginning, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 48” x 36” (123 x 92 cm)

Noah's Ark, depicted as a 17th-century galleon, sits ready to welcome its passengers. The figures and animals are drawn from visual motifs found in medieval haggadot (Jewish Passover prayer books) and books of hours (Christian devotional texts). At the bottom, an Islamic Moroccan design adds another cultural layer. The male figure in the top left and the female figure in the top right represent the dual male and female aspects of God. In Jewish tradition, God is beyond all attributes; nevertheless, both masculine and feminine qualities have been attributed to the divine presence. God is shown pointing toward the ark, beckoning all creatures to enter. Several figures blend human and animal forms, suggesting the inherent connection between all life. Linking the redemptive qualities of Noah and Moses, the overall composition loosely resembles a page from a haggadah, with the central element surrounded by complementary pictorial details.

Ezekiel’s Vision, 2025, Acrylic on wood, 18” x 24” (46 x 61 cm)

In the prophet Ezekiel’s vision, four living creatures—a lion, an ox, an eagle, and a human—surround the divine throne. In Kabbalistic tradition, a mystical tradition within Judaism, these beings uphold the very structure of the firmament. This image serves as a metaphor for transformation, illustrating how periods of upheaval can also be moments of revelation and growth. The four creatures represent the integration of various strengths and perspectives, underscoring the importance of inclusivity and collaboration. In a time of division and polarization, Ezekiel’s vision offers a compelling reminder of the potential found in unity and mutual understanding.

Plastic Eating Enzyme, 2025, Acrylic on wood, 18” x 24” (46 x 61 cm)

Plastic pollution is one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time. Because most plastics do not decompose, they are accumulating in our oceans, threatening marine life, human health, and entire ecosystems. Finding solutions is crucial. Scientists have developed an enzyme variant capable of breaking down plastics that would normally take centuries to degrade—in just hours or days.

Care for All Species, 2025, Acrylic on wood, 18” x 24” (46 x 61 cm)

Humanity has a responsibility to protect all life and ecosystems. This painting draws inspiration from the medieval Book of Maastricht, weaving its imagery into a powerful message. On the left, figures representing humanity blow a shofar—ram’s horn—sounding a call to action. In Jewish tradition, the shofar is linked to the Days of Repentance, urging reflection and renewal. To the right, representations of the Creator point toward the Earth, serving as a reminder of our sacred duty to safeguard the planet.

The World Rests on Three Pillars, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 18” x 24” (46 x 61 cm)

According to the Mishna (rabbinic literature), the world is upheld by three fundamental principles: Torah (wisdom), spirituality, and acts of kindness—all essential for its existence. This painting draws inspiration from Pillars of Creation, a renowned photograph captured by the Hubble Space Telescope. A rainbow connects the pillars, representing seven universal ethical principles given to Noah and, by extension, to all of humanity. These laws emphasize the importance of the well-being of all people.

Fish in Plastic, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 18” x 24” (46 x 61 cm)

Our environment is being overwhelmed by waste and pollution, with plastics posing a serious threat to both human health and marine life. Sea creatures suffer from entanglement, ingestion, habitat destruction, and the spread of toxins. From tiny plankton to giant whales, the impact of plastic pollution is devastating—harming individual animals, disrupting entire populations, and destabilizing fragile marine ecosystems.

The Dragon Tree, 2025, Acrylic on canvas, 18” x 24” (46 x 61 cm)

Plant life holds great significance in the Bible. When the floodwaters receded, Noah sent out a dove which returned with an olive leaf in its beak, signifying hope and renewal. The uniquely shaped and enigmatic dragon tree produces a deep crimson sap, long valued for its medicinal properties and as a pigment. When its bark is cut, a thick red liquid—known as dragon’s blood—flows from within. Found only in the Canary Islands, this rare tree is now on the brink of extinction. Inspired by the works of Dutch medieval artist Hieronymus Bosch, this dragon tree serves as a symbolic Tree of Life, evoking the story of the paradise tree of Adam and Eve.

Dutch-born New York multidisciplinary visual artist Yona Verwer creates works that explore identity, immigration, ecology, heritage, and spirituality. Sourcing from a variety of cultures, she works in a varied range of media and materials, among them painting, installations, new media and video.

Verwer holds a master’s degree in fine art from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, and has shown in over 30 museum exhibitions, as well as many galleries, nationally and internationally. Her work has been recognized internationally through exhibitions at the Jerusalem Biennale, Andy Warhol Factory, Reginald Lewis Museum of African-American Art, Yeshiva University Museum, Ein Harod Museum, the Bronx Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Jewish Art, Mizel Museum, Stanback Museum, Canton Museum of Art, and the Holocaust Memorial Center. As the Director of the Jewish Art Salon in New York City, she is also known for her knowledge of Jewish art, and she administers a large Jewish artist network.

For more information: yonaverwer.com

COMING SOON

Watch a short video of Yona Verwer in her studio reflecting on the exhibition