What does it mean to be silenced? Better yet, what does it mean to Samuel Bak to be silenced?
Does it mean to have a nail put through your head, your mouth pierced and sewn shut with the same, sharp object? And what of Bak’s title, "Verbal Repair"? In what way - in what world - does such violence elicit reparative results?
A 2021 work in oil, Bak’s "Verbal Repair", asks all these questions and more. As many know, the Holocaust was born on the concept of silencing Jews, a phenomenon that continues to persist to this day. An unjustifiable and often nonsensical hatred, antisemitism - as well as Islamophobia – have been subject to new, worldwide growths following the onset of the most recent conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Understanding the rise in both antisemitism and Islamophobia, perhaps Bak’s "Verbal Repair" may now function to silence both discriminatory ideologies, and in doing so also attempt to liberate, or “repair,” the world of their prejudices. Regardless of Bak’s intentions in creating "Verbal Repair," the painting presents viewers with innumerable questions, many of which are destined to go unanswered.
Lucy McGing (Guest Writer)
BAK a Day, January 12, 2024
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Is repair ever possible? There are so many ways that we humans are capable of hurting others. If not by weapons, then by words. The children's rhyme: “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me?”
In this case, pain and hurt has its consequences. Bak's images of Repairs¿ consistently question perpetrators and victims. This figure also reminds us of the extraordinary bronzes of Messerschmitt.
Hammer, nails and a string as reminders of how we can determine the use (or misuse!) of instruments of building or destruction.
Note the limited palette and the metallic presence that pervades the entire painting.
Do you believe that Verbal Repair is possible?
Bernard H. Pucker, BAK a Day, February 14, 2023
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Sam’s titles always convey significance for his paintings as they are added after his works are completed.
In “Verbal Repair” the broken nail appears tenuously wrapped with string and placed at his lips by the “hatted” figure.
A loop of the string almost threateningly dangles over his neck.
Is he kissing the point of juncture?
Is the pressing against his lips preventing speech?
The placement invokes the idea of words spoken, maybe previously, maybe in the future.
However, the broken hammer and broken nail are unlikely to repair.
To what or where is the left index finger pointing?
To blame or for assistance?
Dr. Carl M. Herbert (Guest Writer)
BAK a Day, April 23, 2022
Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History (Samuel Bak Museum)
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