Daily-ist: Monday

A One-Man Army: The Art of Arthur Szyk

Despite the warm fuzzies following last fall's election, 2009 is off to a frightening start, what with the Israel-Gaza metdown, a dire outlook for this year's economy and 13 tropical storms predicted for our next hurricane season.

Now is a time for hope, and artist Arthur Szyk (1894-1951) had hope in spades. A native of Poland who immigrated to the United States at the beginning of World War II, Szyk believed his art could make a difference in the world.

Syzk became one of the 20th century's most important political propagandists, using his paintings, illustrated books, illuminated manuscripts, commercial art and posters, and stamps for humanitarian causes and to garner support for the social and political issues in which he believed. His political cartoons in support of the Jewish people and against the Nazis appeared on the covers of many important magazines during World War II.

Eleanor Roosevelt described him as a "one-man army," and he helped prove that art (even political cartoons) really can influence the way people see the world.

The Holocaust Museum Houston is hosting a collection of Szyk's works from private owners Gregg and Michelle Philipson, and will include loans of important works from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the United States Naval Academy Museum. The exhibit is free and runs through July of this year.

A One-Man Army: The Art of Arthur Szyk
Admission: FREE!
Date and Time: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5:00 p.m.
Location: 5401 Caroline Street

Image: "Battle of the Warsaw Ghetto" by Arthur Szyk