Where Do We Go?
Object numberM2002/009
TitleWhere Do We Go?
Creator Joe Rose (painter)
DescriptionPainting in oil by Joe Rose, titled Where Do We Go? The subject is the Holocaust. The work was painted post-war, date and place unknown.
The work of Joe Rose (1915-1998) has been described by critics as powerful, disturbing, bizarre and mesmeric with an unmistakable technique. One critic describes him as one of the greatest surrealists of our time; others found his work intensely religious. In fact, the artist painted in a variety of styles and avoided the label of surrealism, preferring to be known as a mystic exploring the unexplorable.
He migrated in 1957 with his wife and three children. He was the only surviving member of his family, who were interned in Auschwitz. Born Hans-Joachim Rosenberg in 1915 at Woldenburg, Germany (now Poland), in 1933 he was sent to Sonnenburg concentration camp for his anti-Nazi activities. His artistic abilities helped to get him released but in 1938, shortly after marrying, he was again arrested and taken to Buchenwald concentration camp. His wife managed to convince the SS to release him and they escaped to England. In England, Rose joined the British army and during that time his three children were born.
After the army in 1945 Rose received a Diploma in Art in London. Successful exhibitions of his work followed in art competitions and during the period 1961-1969 his paintings received 26 awards including 11 first prizes. He was hung in the Archibald, Wynne, Blake and Sulman prizes. In 1971 Rose was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to art.
The work of Joe Rose (1915-1998) has been described by critics as powerful, disturbing, bizarre and mesmeric with an unmistakable technique. One critic describes him as one of the greatest surrealists of our time; others found his work intensely religious. In fact, the artist painted in a variety of styles and avoided the label of surrealism, preferring to be known as a mystic exploring the unexplorable.
He migrated in 1957 with his wife and three children. He was the only surviving member of his family, who were interned in Auschwitz. Born Hans-Joachim Rosenberg in 1915 at Woldenburg, Germany (now Poland), in 1933 he was sent to Sonnenburg concentration camp for his anti-Nazi activities. His artistic abilities helped to get him released but in 1938, shortly after marrying, he was again arrested and taken to Buchenwald concentration camp. His wife managed to convince the SS to release him and they escaped to England. In England, Rose joined the British army and during that time his three children were born.
After the army in 1945 Rose received a Diploma in Art in London. Successful exhibitions of his work followed in art competitions and during the period 1961-1969 his paintings received 26 awards including 11 first prizes. He was hung in the Archibald, Wynne, Blake and Sulman prizes. In 1971 Rose was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to art.
Object namepaintings
Materialoil paint
Dimensions
- painting width: 870.00 mm
height: 1180.00 mm
width: 1490.00 mm
height: 1090.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Mary Indyk
DocumentationJoe Rose - Oral history interview300009848