Federation Gertie

Hollis Chatelain 

57 x 51 inches

2019

ARTIST STATEMENT

Gertrude Weil was from an affluent Jewish family which allowed her to have a privileged, white lifestyle. She was quite striking physically, and the pictures I could find often showed her beautifully dressed. Even though she was quite humble, her natural leadership impulses always put her in the center of organizing and speaking; so I chose to have her front and center, looking directly at the audience. Weil was a mover and shaker her entire life. Unafraid to voice her opinion, she followed in her mother’s footsteps in fighting for social welfare at an early age. She continued working for change until she died.

Photo by the artist