PROFILE
Hedy Klineman Buddhas in the Garden By Rachel Reda
edy Klineman’s artistic career spans four decades. She began painting in the 1970s; in the 80s, Hedy created fashion portraits, using the faces of celebrities along with their clothing to create mixed-media images. When her friend Andy Warhol passed away, Hedy made 100 silkscreen prints from a pair of his glasses that he gave her. “Andy and I had a special connection,” confided Hedy. Growing up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Hedy immersed herself in various cultures that further inspired her creative edge. In high school, she spent her free time visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art. “Back then, the museums were practically empty,” said Hedy. “I was able to fully absorb the atmosphere and its raw energy.” In the 1990s, Hedy moved on from her fashion portraits and embarked on a spiritual journey. Her artwork shifted its focus to different cultural deities such as Quan Yin,
t Resident October 2013
Ganesh and the Dalai Lama. She layered religious imagery over textured backgrounds as a form of spiritual creative expression. Shortly thereafter, Hedy started to take yoga classes in Southampton where she developed a powerful connection to the Buddha, and would use the figure repeatedly in her artwork from that point forward. “Learning from the past is important in understanding the present and creating the future,” said Hedy. “I would make silk screens of the Buddha to portray the reality of cultural ancestry, and then moved on to paintings.” The inspiration for her recent collection titled “Buddhas in the Garden,” stems from both her real garden and her “fantasy” garden. “In the garden, my mind clears and I achieve peace,” she said. “In nature, I am grounded.” This visual mantra delivers the repetitive, meditative presence that Hedy utilizes in her artwork. The Tibet House Museum at 22 W. 15th St. will
exhibit these paintings from October 4th to December 18th. Hedy is now focusing on African culture. She has created silk screens that blend African portraits with tribal masks. “Most of the subjects I use are people in my life, people I know,” said Hedy. Her most recent work uses the face of Russell Simmons, who is also a Buddhist and she is working on a portrait of the American Ambassador to Barbados. After she completes this series, Hedy plans to take a new approach and use animals as her primary subject. “Animals represent fierce spirits that will destroy your demons.” Hedy does not approach her work solely on a conscious level, her pieces come together as a portrayal of spiritual awareness. She says, “I want my audience to take my love and make it theirs.” tibethouse.org