This series of contemporary illuminated manuscripts examines regions of the world where large scale episodes of genocide and mass annihilation have been perpetrated. Looking at and beyond the cataclysm, the series depicts and interprets the myriad historic cultural achievements and uniqueness of environment, within each area, over the course of history.

Early illuminated manuscripts were books made by hand, often including gold or silver, religious text and social themes in their illustration. Because illuminated manuscripts were very expensive to create they were highly prized and often represented major religious, social and artistic beliefs of the period.

This selection of modern day illuminations draws on the history of this traditional art form to represent the perplexing social theme of genocide. Each manuscript is a visual story which represents a culture or civilization which has been threatened or extinguished by the violence of genocide or mass annihilation. Uniting all illuminations in this series is the inclusion of the Hebrew blessing the “Mourners Kaddish" within each manuscript.This ancient Hebrew prayer for the dead honors the victims of unimaginable suffering. It speaks a human a blessing, drawn from the heritage of the artist, of solace and remorse, for the hundreds of millions of people who have perished by this human atrocity and historic achievements destroyed. These penetrating works of art recognize the greatest accomplishments of humankind and our most violent crimes. They help the viewer to reach a personal reflection of our common legacy of genocide.They inspire us to look deeper into the lessons of our past so that we can better understand ourselves and our collective ability to perpetrate mass atrocity. It is my hope that this effort will help viewers comprehend the enormity of the history of mass violence, and what these episodes of violence around the world mean to us, today and in the future.

As people world wide move closer to true understanding of our inter-connected existence, we recognize that each individual desires to live in peace, without fear of domination, neglect, or annihilation. Each one of us can live with dignity and honor by cultivating genuine appreciation for each other, respect and awe for the astounding beauty and complexity of the world we live in.

These thoughtfully researched and carefully illuminated artworks create an inspiring testimony to the humanity and cultural legacies cast aside in violence and hatred, and honor the fruits of the civilizations reduced to ruins by genocide.

Proceeds from the sale of each giclee reproduction will be contributed to organizations working with victims of genocide, trauma relief, creation of memorials and educational centers about genocide, and to help re-build cultural heritage identity destroyed by genocide.A list of the charitable organizations receiving funding will be provided with the purchase of each illumination.

Let us all look at genocide as our personal legacy and see ourselves in the history of another's life.Let us garner strength and inspiration to do better for those who came before us and were annihilated, and those who will come after us into a new world created by our hands.