MARA DRESNER: Connecticut Jewish Ledger: "The Importance of "Moral Courage" Exhibit in Chester Explores Courage of Danes, Bulgarians During War": Nov 28, 2003

When artist Karen Gunderson was a little girl, her Uncle Leroy, a Danish minister, told her the story about how King Christian X stood up to the Nazis during World War II.

The story stuck with her.           

In the late 1980s, when Louis Farrakhan was speaking out against the Jewish people and Rev. Jesse Jackson was talking about “Hymietown,” the New York artist recalled the courage of King Christian X, using her talent to create a portrait of the Danish monarch. 
           
The series grew, ultimately leading to an exhibition at Drury College, a small Christian school in Springfield, Missouri.
           
Gunderson continued exploring the concept of courage during the war, and developed a series of drawings, many using charcoal on linen-backed paper.
           
“Charcoal is the most telling vehicle to be able to draw with.  You can really feel the energy and how it feels to make the mark the most with charcoal,” she explained from her New York studio.  “Also, I’m not a one-shot person.  I change things as I go; it’s part of my process.  But the most important thing is it shows the energy.”
             
Gunderson’s work, “Moral Courage During World War II: Denmark and Bulgaria,” a series of paintings and drawings is on display through Jan. 3 at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek in Chester.
           
The exhibit was organized by the late Liz Gwillim.  The first curator of the synagogue’s art space, Gwillim died in June, just days after making arrangements for the exhibit, which is dedicated in her memory.
           
“Our congregation has a commitment to sharing art.  That’s a big part of what we do,” said Rabbi Cory Weiss.  “The fact that it was the last exhibition organized by Liz Gwillim before she died makes it special to all of us.”
           
Weiss, who is president of the Valley Shore Clergy Association, said that the exhibit was especially appropriate at the time of the 60th anniversary of the Danish rescue.