Rosette Sund is an artist and educator. She recently installed the “Silhouettes of Survival” project at the Toronto Holocaust Museum. We asked her about the inspiration for the site specific installation, what Jewish joy means to her, where she finds inspiration, and her thoughts on gefilte fish.
Kultura Collective: Hi Rosette! Can you please tell us a bit about you and your artistic practice?
Rosette Sund: Hello! I have always loved making art but never really had any formal training until my final year of undergrad at McGill–I was studying History and took one painting course offered in the Education department at the time. After this class, I knew I wanted to continue pursuing the Arts. So, I worked on developing a portfolio and went on to study Drawing and Painting at OCAD. The most formative year was when I did the Florence off-campus program. They dropped us off in this beautiful studio in the heart of Florence and basically said “Go…create”. It was during this time that I developed my layered style of painting. I use old photographs as my source material and paint these layered images with various levels of transparency. The goal is that the viewer connects to something within the artwork, whether a pattern or an object and it conjures up feelings of nostalgia and familiarity.
KC: You recently installed the “Silhouettes of Survival” project at the Toronto Holocaust Museum. What was the inspiration for the project?
RS: When I first read the call for submissions for this project I was really excited since the theme seemed to mirror my artistic practice: using historical photographs and documents to tell a particular story. The amazing team at the Toronto Holocaust Museum was looking to commission and collaborate on an art piece that would focus on the immigrant experience of Holocaust survivors coming to Canada post WWII. I was given access to the wealth of history housed at the Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Centre to use as my source material. When I started to review these archives, it instantly became apparent that this is a story that turns tremendous loss and persecution into one of courage, perseverance, resilience and hope. That became the inspiration of the project: all these harrowing yet also incredibly moving experiences.
KC: Can you tell us about the research you conducted for this project?
RS: My first visit to the archives was overwhelming since there really is a wealth of information housed at the OJA. After that initial visit I needed to regroup and spend more time with the online archives. I conducted specific keyword searches which allowed me to focus in on various organizations such as Jewish Immigration Aid Services as well as specific families whose history mirrored the theme of the project. The online archives are organized quite concisely in that it includes a brief history of the family, how they fled or survived the war as well as what documents or photographs are included in their file. The amazing team at the OJA and THM were integral in directing me to specific families whose history would be relevant to the project. It was not an easy task to choose which images to use. I knew I wanted to use documents that had a handwritten component as it felt like you were holding a tangible piece of the story. For the other imagery, as I found relevant photographs, if I connected to it or it felt familiar–even though it wasn’t my family history–then I was certain other viewers would as well.
KC: Each of the four panels tells a different story – what are the four stories you chose to focus on and why?
RS: The more research I did and family albums I looked through, it seemed that this specific immigrant experience could be grouped into four aspects: the literal process of immigrating, arrival in Canada, growing roots and building their legacy for future generations. Each panel is reflective of this progression and is to be read in a clockwise order. As the viewer cycles through the paintings, the idea is that the hope, resilience and inspiration grow. More detailed information about each painting can be found at https://torontoholocaustmuseum.org/exhibition/silhouettes-of-survival
KC: How did you tackle such emotional and heavy material?
RS: I grew up hearing firsthand testimonies from Holocaust survivors, whether from family members or teachers, and you never get used to the heaviness and deep trauma of each one. I am repeatedly amazed by their ability to just survive and move forward let alone the community and legacies they continued to build. As I would work through the banker boxes of documents and images, I was met with the horrifying images from concentration camps–to survivors reconnecting in displaced persons camps–families leaving everything in hopes of a new start in a new country–those same families growing, celebrating beautiful Jewish lifecycle events, building businesses and thriving communities. The joy and hope naturally started to seep in. The intention was to keep the project forward looking and how their survival was their—and in turn our–ultimate victory.
KC: How have visitors reacted to the project?
RS: At the reveal of the installation, I was fortunate enough to connect with some of the families whose images were included in the artwork. It was amazing to hear first-hand some of their stories that I spent so many hours painting. Needless to say, there was a lot of hugging. As well, viewers shared their own family histories with me and many of them mirrored those presented which was really special.
KC: You are also an educator and have created posters for Jewish Heritage Month. How do you bring your Jewish identity into your art practice?
RS: I think my Jewish identity comes out strongest through the specific imagery I use in my art. You don’t have to look further then any holiday meal to see that we are a people obsessed with symbolism. Literally everything on a Passover table has some sort of meaning. I tried to infuse the JHM artwork with symbols and imagery that directly relate to important concepts in Judaism whether it be the religion, culture, or traditions.
KC: As part of your practice, you also create beautiful Ketubahs (Jewish marriage contracts). What is the process for creating such a personal document for a couple?
RS: There is nothing more optimistic than a couple about to start their lives together. The Ketubah is also this great artifact they get to design together. They don’t need to worry about appeasing anyone but themselves. It is a joyful part of the planning to create something to carry forward that represents them at this moment in time. Once our initial chat moves from the details about the wedding, we get to the fun stuff of how they met, their backgrounds, and things that are important to them individually and as a unit. And then I get to take all this lovely information and visually narrate their story.
KC: You recently spoke on the panel “Jewish Joy” as part of the Jewish Futures 2025 Arts and Culture Salon. What does Jewish joy mean to you? What did you take away from the day?
RS: There was such a positive atmosphere at the event. Every person I met was open and seemed excited to be there. Jewish joy for me comes from being surrounded by our diverse community and sharing experiences. I love when a round of Jewish geography organically occurs when I meet someone new or the frenetic energy at a kosher butcher the day before a chag. It is this feeling of being seen and welcome. Being at this event gave me comfort that we can lean on one another and connect on our shared experiences, even if our opinions may differ. There is obviously a deep want to connect to others in our community, to create and partake in open discussion.
KC: What else are you working on right now?
RS: I have a few custom Ketubahs in the works and I am continuing to work on my series of nostalgia. I am moving the focus to the 70s and 80s and the youth culture of that era. In a time when I don’t understand most things that come out of my kids’ mouths (6-7?) I am starting to imagine what it feels like to feel less connected. In these works, my hope is that others may recognize the visual language, smile, and feel like they have a voice to contribute to the conversation. Their nostalgia has “rizz” (sorry I couldn’t help myself).
KC: What other (Jewish) creatives should we know about? (1-3 people)
RS: I love the storytelling aspects of these artists’ work:
Jacqueline Kott-Wolle @jkwpaintings
Simon Schneiderman @simonschneidermanart
Keren Pe’er @art_by_karenpeer
KC: What’s inspiring you Jewish-ly lately?
RS: I am trying to connect to my Jewish heritage through food. I feel confident in my Ashkenazi rooted recipes for matza ball soup, and brisket but I am trying to learn some of my Israeli-Yemeni inspired dishes such as Marak Temani (Yemeni soup) and Malawach (flaky, buttery flat bread). It will be a tasty adventure.
KC: Lightning round questions!
Applesauce vs sour cream? Only sour cream…like ever.
Tel Aviv or Jerusalem? Tel Aviv, Ya Habibi, Tel Aviv (and…now I am dancing)
Pickled herring vs gefilte fish? Gefilte: but only if savoury with a healthy side of strong horseradish
Pomegranate vs apple? Pomegranate, minus the peeling
Rosette Sund is a Toronto-based painter whose works explore themes of nostalgia through richly layered compositions. Using oil and acrylic paint on wood board, the canvases unfold like chapters of a story for the viewers to read in, on and through. Sund earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from McGill University, followed by a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drawing and Painting from the Ontario College of Art and Design. Her academic foundation in history taught her the value of storytelling, while her fine arts training provided the means to translate those stories into a visual language. Rosette continues to live and work in Toronto.
Website: www.rosettesundart.com
Instagram: @rosette_sund_art
Silhouettes of Survival focuses on the experiences of immigrants coming to Canada from Central Europe after the devastation of the Second World War. The courageous histories found within the Ontario Jewish Archives Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre provide a rich foundation from which to tell this important story. Each panel focuses on a specific aspect: initial immigration, settling into their new environments, establishing roots and celebrating with generations to follow. The layers within each painting include photographs and documents to weave a story that highlights these individuals’ courage, perseverance and hope.
Learn more at https://torontoholocaustmuseum.org/exhibition/silhouettes-of-survival
The Toronto Holocaust Museum is a world-class destination for Holocaust education and dialogue about this vital history and its ongoing relevance. The Museum serves as a powerful and growing force against antisemitism, bigotry and hatred in all its forms. Through its immersive exhibitions and transformative learning experiences, the Museum deepens the public’s knowledge and understanding while inspiring visitors to think critically about the tragedies of the Holocaust and to make connections between the Holocaust, world events, and contemporary Canadian life.
Learn more at: https://torontoholocaustmuseum.org/
The Ontario Jewish Archives, Blankenstein Family Heritage Centre (OJA) is the largest repository of Jewish life in Canada. Founded in 1973, the OJA, a department of UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, acquires, preserves and makes accessible the records that chronicle our province’s Jewish history. The collection documents organizations, individuals, synagogues, schools, summer camps, leisure, athletes, and businesses. There are many different ways to explore the OJA’s collection and learn about the province’s Jewish past. You can make an appointment to look at photographs, films, Yiddish newspapers, hand-written correspondence, and even an original Superman drawing! Through exhibitions, programs, research assistance, and walking tours, the OJA tells the stories of Ontario’s Jewish community.
Learn more: https://ontariojewisharchives.org/
The Jewish immigrant Aid Service (JIAS) was established in 1922 to assist Jewish refugees coming to Canada. Today, JIAS Toronto is the only Jewish social service agency in Canada solely dedicated to providing settlement services to immigrants and refugees. JIAS is inclusive, LGBTQ+ friendly, and proud to serve all newcomers regardless of faith or country of origin. We have a diverse staff and offer settlement services in a variety of languages.
Learn more: https://jiastoronto.org/
