Artist Libby Klein on Heritage, Good Energy and Spreading Joy Through Art

Interview by Leah Kogen Elimeliah 

Libby Klein’s work is deeply intertwined with her Jewish heritage, drawing from her family’s European roots and the generational inheritance of stories, experiences, moments of joy and pain. It is no wonder that she creates and regenerates narratives for those who, like her, seek grounding within their personal foundations, such as family and home, through her art. When speaking with Libby about her practice and what it has been like for her to be an artist within the Orthodox Jewish community, you witness a genuine connection between her past and present. 

As a mother of five, she strives to be a positive role model for her children. However, her passion for life and her mission to spread love and joy through her art extends beyond her family. She aims to spread light and invite good energy into her home, her community, and her art practice. During our interview, Libby mentioned that she doesn’t really live in reality most of the time. For me, this translated a bit differently, it’s that the reality is often too heavy and burdensome to carry, so creating our own worlds, especially through art, becomes a means of escape from a polluted world teetering on the brink of chaos. 

Her paintings are predominantly composed of light colors, often white on white, with gold or shades of blue. They are imbued with symbols of hope, love, and compassion. There is nothing offensive or defensive about her works; they carry no political agenda or statement. For Libby, art is a reflection of what one wishes and hopes for, rather than what might bring us down one day. The texture and fragmentation in her works symbolize both physical and metaphorical spaces, blending historical context with the complexities and layers of the present day. This connection mirrors the depth and nature of our being, highlighting the preservation of our shared existence within the expansiveness of the universe. 

LKE: Can you tell us a little bit about what it's like growing up as an artist in a Jewish Orthodox community? 

That's a very good question. I live my life the way I want to live it. People should all choose for themselves since we are all complex beings. I try not to judge the world and those around me, trying to see the positive in people as well as in various circumstances even if it's difficult to do so in that moment. My family lives in Lakewood, an ultra Orthodox community where I also have an art studio in the center of town. I am respected by the people here. My children are part of the community as well, in my studio I host monthly Rosh Chodesh - New Month groups, and all I want to do with my work is project positive vibes. I invite speakers and host events that bring positivity. It is with this attitude that I got to where I am. I am also the kind of person who doesn't really live in reality. 

When I was asked to participate in the Youth America Grand Prix’s 25th anniversary celebration this past April, I was thrilled. Growing up I was a dancer too and had a lot of dreams. And somehow, my dreams led me to my current reality. As you know my name is Libby and my branding is all around the “bee.” A bee by nature is too heavy to fly but because it does not know it can't fly it is able to fly. I think as soon as one is aware of their limitations it's hard to get to where one wants to get to. At age 5 I lost my father, I used my abilities and creativity to overcome my pain and loss and that too got me to where I am today. So for me the three most important things which are also part of my brand are: community, legacy and family. 

LKE: In previous interviews, you mention your grandmother and how she inspired you, can you share her story with us? 

The Reichman’s were and still are an esteemed family who during WWII were very much a part of the Orthodox and the secular world in Europe, even before the war. They were religious but were also exposed to cultural life and education. My grandmother was fearless. After she and her immediate family fled Europe she went back to her hometown using her family’s financial resources to smuggle other Jews out, she saved many lives. She used help from the Spanish Red Cross to pack and ship thousands of food parcels to concentration camps. The family was also able to pressure officials in Franco Spain to issue visas to Jews who were in Budapest. They paid a lot of ransom money to save Jews in concentration camps as well as post war. She and her family even helped Holocaust survivors after fleeing to Tangier, Morocco with her family in the 1950s due to the fall of Austria. 

From a young age I wanted to learn from my grandmother, bringing people together, making a difference, shining light into the world. It's a trickling effect. That is the only thing that I believe will make us stronger and help us — to be a light. 

LKE: What can you say about the current war between Israel and Hamas? 

I am trying to focus on the positive as impossible or hard as it may be. As a mother of five, I don't want my kids to only be scared by the news and worry about what's happening, I don't want them to remember only the horrors during this painful time. I want to re-focus on the positive. I started a tambourine project. We went to a special needs school and created tambourines with the children to show that happy days are coming. For us, we must nurture our community with our individual gifts, leaving a legacy, and creating something for ourselves to share with others, even amidst tragedy. A Lot of what I sell now are family trees, children gifting their parents with something meaningful.. 

LKE: Do you think of experimenting with other themes or styles in your art practice? 

I have been painting my whole life but I only started to sell my art about five years ago. One thing I know I will never change in my practice is the energy that emanates from my work brightening up a room or a house. I have pieces at Carlton Fine Arts, but mostly I work on commission. It's important for me to be in-tune with my clients, their style and preference then I am able to understand what they want. People are fascinating and so I get excited to work with clients from all backgrounds. One thing that's important to me is that the work must produce good and positive energy. In my process, I do like to switch things up. I use variation of colors, I add gold leaf, recently I have been adding real jewels to my family trees. 

LKE: Where do you think art is currently going? 

To be honest, when I walk into a museum or a show, I see a lot of art about racism, sexuality, violence. But natural beauty is missing. Why does art always have to be political or represent some agenda? I stay away from politics in my art. We are meant to be closer to nature, the earth, animals, and I think because we are so removed from that, due to technology and social media, we have all these struggles and problems of today. We need to vibrate with the world. But we are so removed from it that it's quite sad. 

LKE: What is the last show you went to and what are you currently reading? 

I went to the ballet show at the Youth America Grand Prix’s 25th anniversary celebration and was super inspired. There is so much diversity in the world. It's beautiful to see. It is also very hard to raise kids right now. I want to make sure my kids know what it's like to work hard, to succeed, to fail, be patient and ask questions. These girls who train for hours every day, who strive for success and don't waste time, there is so much opportunity so if you channel your energy properly, anyone can succeed. The children at this show were all so talented and they put so much time and effort into their craft and it was inspiring to see. I appreciate life and art but I feel like we are living at a time when people are seek perfectionism, which takes away from the pro process of it all.

LKE: What are your thoughts about AI in the art world? 

I am excited for AI. I was recently at a show where there was an artist who uses AI and some artists I knew were against coming, and I couldn't understand why, because in my opinion, I think AI will bring us closer to our emotions, it will bring us closer to our humanity because we will be forced to be more human. AI cannot hold the contradictory aspects of our nature, only we can. 

Libby Klein is having an opening in July at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair.

Visit https://hamptonsfineartfair.com/ for details. 

VIP Opening Reception: 

Thursday, July 11 

Afternoon Session: 2-6PM 

Evening Session: 6-9:30PM