Steve Marcus, artist of contemporary ethnic art and pop Judaica, has been creating artwork for popular and unpopular culture for over a quarter of a century. He has a long list of credits, honors and awards, and has developed an international reputation over the last 30 years. And he is also passionate about his roots and culture.
Marcus lives and creates his art in his studio just a few blocks north of the Museum at Eldridge Street on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, once the stronghold of the Yiddish theater and other Jewish cultural and religious touchstones. He was recognized as one of the most influential residents in the three-volume “Jews: A People’s History of the Lower East Side.” In 2010, Marcus began studying Torah at the world-renowned Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem מתיבתא תפארת ירושלים, one of the oldest yeshivas in New York City, also in his neighborhood.
“I grew up in a secular Jewish home and on Rosh Hashanah in 2009 my father died unexpectedly of a heart attack,” Marcus said. “I decided to say Kaddish… three times a day with a minyan. During the time I was saying Kaddish, … I began to study Torah at my local yeshiva, Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem (MTJ), which is Reb Moshe and Reb Dovid Feinstein of blessed memory’s yeshiva and is currently under the guidance of Reb Berel Feinstein. During this time of learning with esteemed rabbis, I did teshuva, … returned to observant Judaism, became kosher and shomer Shabbat, and decided to pivot from creating pop art for popular culture to creating art that represented my roots and culture.”
After a few years of daily Torah and Talmud learning, in 2013 Marcus was blessed with the opportunity to create a 4’ x 2’ stained glass for the Aron HaKodesh installed in the beit midrash at MTJ. “ I became close with a local rabbi who was saying Kaddish at the same time I was,” Marcus said. “I noticed that the stained glass in the Aron HaKodesh was missing and was replaced with an image on paper. I had come to learn that for many years the yeshiva had been looking for an artist to create art for stained glass and always had trouble finding [someone] willing to take art direction from the Rosh HaYeshiva.
“The rabbi … recommended me to Reb Dovid Feinstein, zt”l, and I had the privilege to meet with him … and have him describe to me what he envisioned for the artwork. I of course accepted, and after a few drafts it was approved and I created the final art in my father’s memory..
“After almost two decades of creating art for popular culture, where I had many experiences of meeting and working with celebrities, rock stars and hip-hop moguls … , this project was the biggest honor of my life … I was humbled to work with and have my own special relationship with the greatest rabbi of the generation, Reb Dovid Feinstein, zt”l. The Gemara in Megillah 29A explains that the synagogues and study halls are referred to as a small temple, meaning a place where God can rest His presence while the Jews are still in exile and awaiting the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. It was my highest honor to contribute to the beautification of a holy space where God’s presence rests in the physical world and inspires all who enter the yeshiva.”
And now, visitors to the Museum at Eldridge Street, Michael Weinstein Gallery will be able to enjoy a new exhibition by Marcus, “Top Dog of Kosher Pop Art.” The exhibition will be held through November 6. Through works on paper, a wooden sculpture and selections from Marcus’ personal collection of New York City hot dog memorabilia, viewers are taken on a journey into the cartoon world of kosher folk art that explores New York history, Jewish life and immigrant culture.
The drawings show the history of the kosher hot dog, a treat that has deep roots in Brooklyn and the Lower East Side. Using colors reflecting his underground and graffiti roots, Marcus sprinkles Gematria throughout the pieces, and one work was directly inspired by the Talmudic aphorism “Mustard seed is food for doves.”
“When I do the work, I like to be able to represent my roots and culture,” Marcus said. “At the same time, I try to make it accessible, funny. A lot of times Jewish art is so heavy; it’s too intense. And it should be fun.”
The opportunity for Marcus’ exhibition at the Museum at Eldridge Street happened after he contacted the museum. He said: “I met with the curator, Nancy Johnson… She was excited about my artwork because it was Jewish art that was humorous, fun and accessible to viewers of all ages and backgrounds. Also, the exhibition would showcase a local artist from the neighborhood. I’m grateful for the opportunity to exhibit at one of the great Jewish museums in New York City.”
But the inspiration for “Top Dog of Kosher Pop Art” is especially
touching and personal. It came to Marcus on his birthday in the summer of 2021 in upstate New York. His 5-year-old nephew Nate had drawn a birthday card depicting himself and his uncle roasting hot dogs over a campfire. So when Marcus actually roasted hot dogs over a campfire with Nate, the young boy said, “Uncle Steve, this is one of my dreams coming true,” and the idea for Marcus’ exhibition was born.
“Top Dog of Kosher Pop Art” and related programs are made possible by the City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Learn more about Steve Marcus and his art on his website at smarcus.com and follow him on instagram @smarcusart
For more information: Museum at Eldridge Street,12 Eldridge Street, New York, New York, 212-219-0302, Administrative Office: 212-219-0888, [email protected]
Susan R. Eisenstein is a longtime Jewish educator, passionate about creating special, innovative activities for her students. She is also passionate about writing about Jewish topics and about Israel. She has two master’s degrees and a doctorate in education from Columbia University.
