Description

A signed limited print may be available of this piece! (click here)

This painting speaks of many similar stories of humanity throughout time. It carries broad symbolic meaning about the endless struggle for survival and exodus to safety - the striving for freedom so many have experienced. For our family, it marks the beginning of our American journey.

Dad created this original oil painting circa 1960, just a few years after arriving in America as a recollection of our story.

Our Story
In 1956, our family fled Hungary during the revolt against Soviet Communism. Along with thousands, we traveled mainly by foot to Austria and emigrated to the United States with the help of the American Red Cross and World Church. Arriving in New Jersey's Camp Kilmer with only what we could carry, this life-changing ordeal left scars that lingered for many years. It was a story repeatedly told in our family by my parents, usually during special holiday meals, but pretty much at any time.

The fleeing scene is at the border crossing, and the child in my mother's arms is my brother Leslie. I was not born yet - the only one in my family born in the USA.

The story of our escape is described in a short story titled: "The Moon & The Star".

I hope you can sense the drama and emotion, and feel the desperation of their story because today, at this very moment, people are doing the same thing - fleeing something, for something better.

Their stories may be complicated or straightforward, depending on your own story, but these stories are always the same; we all just want to be safe. Sometimes we all just need to Escape and Get Away. ❤️

Through My Father's Eyes

I wrote a song memorializing our story, depicted in this painting.

Song: "GET AWAY"

Artist: JTAR