AFTER: The Obligation of Beauty

by Mindy Weisel

This compelling and candid memoir by Mindy Weisel, an internationally acclaimed artist and author, traces her search for beauty in her life, which began as a child born in the Bergen-Belsen Displaced Person's Camp to parents who had survived the Auschwitz concentration camp. This is not her parents' story, rather, it is a courageous and honest portrait of her struggle to understand the black hole she was born into. Her successful journey in becoming an artist with her own voice, and an unshakable will to live with beauty, is most inspiring. By weaving an eloquent tapestry of her art, narrative, poetry and journals, Ms. Weisel offers moving insights into her life and work, especially her deep-seated conviction that beauty and love can overcome tragedy. The Obligation of Beauty immerses the reader in Mindy's astonishing body of paintings that explore the subtleties of color as a means in expressing emotion. The ''second generation,'' as her generation of survivors' children are referred to, were faced not only with the tragedy their parents had endured but also with their own feelings of guilt and despair. The process of creating art not only became an antidote to the pain and suffering she witnessed and felt, but it also became an ''obligation'' for finding joy and love in the face of pain. Each chapter of AFTER is accompanied by paintings relating to different periods of Mindy Weisel's life – a life filled with accomplishment, meaning, love and fulfillment, personally and professionally.

208 pages, Hardcover

Published September 13, 2021

Reviews

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a welcome addition to the canon of Holocaust literature. The author, the daughter of Holocaust survivors who was born in Bergen Belson, displaced persons camp in Germany, discusses her parents lives, and the impact of their experiences in Auschwitz and on the death march, on her life and her art in a luminous series of essays. Each essay is illustrated with relevant pictures of her artwork, documents and/or photographs of people and places.

[Tabish Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I have been living a life in search of beauty". The art of Mindy Weisel is all about finding the beauty in life after her second generational trauma - both her parents were Holocaust survivors.

This is a truly moving book with her first hand experiences, diary entries and poetry mixed in with how art has played a vital part of her life. Even if the art photographed in the book doesn't speak to you directly, it didn't to me at first, her process for creating it is so emotional you'll be swept up in it.

Her life is astonishing itself, plus she writes so beautifully about the creative process.

[Todd Gambill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book full of hope that underscores the importance of creating and treasuring art and beauty in our lives. Highly recommend!