Why Artist Ben Shahn Embraced Nonconformity episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 18, 2025 · 16 MIN

Why Artist Ben Shahn Embraced Nonconformity

from All Of It with Alison Stewart · host WNYC

This summer, The Jewish Museum is examining the life and work of a local artist who dared to be different. Ben Shahn was born in present day Lithuania in 1898, but immigrated to Brooklyn as a boy after his father was exiled to Siberia. Shahn began a life of using his art to respond to historical moments with social realism, from the Great Depression to the Vietnam War. Dr. Laura Katzman, professor of art history at James Madison University, and Dr. Stephen Brown, curator at the Jewish Museum discuss, "Ben Shahn, On Nonconformity," on view through October 12. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ben Shahn began a life of using his art to respond to historical moments with social realism, from the Great Depression to the Vietnam War.

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Why Artist Ben Shahn Embraced Nonconformity

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This summer, The Jewish Museum is examining the life and work of a local artist who dared to be different. Ben Shahn was born in present day Lithuania in 1898, but immigrated to Brooklyn as a boy after his father was exiled to Siberia. Shahn began a...

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