Lori Grinker (American, b. 1957)
Morning Prayer on Subway, 1984
- Gelatin silver print
- 8 7/8 x 13 1/8 in. (22.5 x 33.3 cm)
- The Jewish Museum, New York
- Gift of the artist, 1994-575
Not on view
Morning Prayer on Subway
Morning Prayer on Subway
This image by Lori Grinker was published in her 1989 book The Invisible Thread: A Portrait of Jewish American Women. The Invisible Thread features 120 black-and-white photographs that explore the diverse experience of Jewish women in the United States. Grinker writes, "I discovered the complex tapestry woven by Jewish women; sixty women, of all ages and backgrounds, shed light on the multifaceted reality of being Jewish in the late 20th century" (http://www.lorigrinker.com/projects_invisible_t.htm).
The subject of this photograph is Judith Kramer of Brooklyn, New York. She says, "When I’m late for work, I daven [pray] on the subway. It doesn’t matter where I pray. God is everywhere. There is no place where He is not" (http://www.lorigrinker.com/projects_invisible_t.htm).
Discuss:
- What seems to be happening in this photograph? What do you think this woman is doing? Where is she? How are other people reacting to her?
- How does this photograph show multiple identities? How does it relate to the quilt in The Jewish Museum’s collection?
- Do you think it is easier or more acceptable to express one’s ethnic identity in certain places than others? Why?