Shirley Moneyhon is an artist and lecturer in graphic design and painting, currently living and creating in Tel Aviv. In her practice, Moneyhon explores the complex interplay between the sacred and the secular, the family structure, and her identity as a woman. Her art is driven by curiosity and observation, focusing on the tensions that arise within the intersections of family and religion. Through a fresh lens on ritual elements in Judaism, she presents intimate, familiar scenes – such as Shabbat dinners and Jewish holidays – that reflect her personal journey.
Having grown up in a traditional Jewish home, Moneyhon navigates the weight of religious norms, examining the dichotomy between the imposed expectations and her own lived experiences as a secular woman. Now a mother, she draws inspiration from her family life, capturing fleeting moments of ‘chaos‘ that embody the struggles of reconciling her roles within the Jewish family framework.
Her artistic process begins with gathering references from her immediate environment, family photo albums, and everyday objects, reflecting her quest for human connection and the significance of daily rituals. Employing traditional techniques such as oil on canvas, wood, and ceramic sculpture, Moneyhon’s work vividly portrays the dissonance she experiences, inviting viewers to engage with the nuanced dynamics of identity, faith, and familial obligation.
