Jane Herzenberg
As an artist, Jane Herzenberg works with natural fabrics, exploring the relationship between painting, Shibori dyeing, Rozome and hand embellishment to create art to wear. Images and feelings drawn from her experiences combine with research into the technical properties of dyes and fabrics to allow Herzenberg to integrate her ideas of surface design into a tangible art form.
Herzenberg's hand-made fashions are known for their rich saturated hues of color, unexpected textures and bold graphics. The art of successfully combining unique surface design treatments and fabrics with the cut and drape of silk is a wonder in engineering and beauty.
Jane Herzenberg uses only the finest fabrics to create beautiful designs that fit and flatter a woman's body — always keeping in mind ease of care and comfort.
Herzenberg's unique approach to business as an artist has allowed her to pursue her vision, proudly creating her fashions entirely in New England.
Each piece of beautiful clothing is painted, dyed and embellished by hand, producing unique designs for unique women.
Backstory
The magic of art came from within and began early for Jane Herzenberg.
As a 7 year old child Herzenberg declared her connection to art and has never wavered in her commitment to this pursuit. After earning a BFA degree in painting and printmaking in the turbulent early 1970's, Herzenberg traveled extensively in the Middle and Far East using a rapidograph pen to detail her observations as she traveled. During this time she encountered textiles at the Tibetan bazaar in the Himalayas, hand weaving in India, local tapestries in Afghanistan and the batiks in Malaysia and Singapore. Herzenberg realized during these formative journeys that the flow of cloth tells the story of its origins through generations and at the same time surrounds the body with beauty and meaning.
Since 1975 Herzenberg has focused on the textile arts. Early on she created home furnishings, soft sculpture and men’s neckties. Her current work has focused on designing clothing for women and incorporating her unique hand painted, shibori dyed, rozomé, appliqué and embellished surfaces using silks and other natural fibers.
Herzenberg has also taught workshops in several fiber techniques through the years and may offer more in the future.
After creating a series of hand painted tallit for her family and son on his Bar Mitzvah she made a profound discovery. What was a singular labor of love became the first step in a spiritual journey as Herzenberg discovered that her ancestors in Romania made their livelihood as “shpanyer makhers” (brocade makers). Over one hundred and fifty years ago Herzenberg’s ancestors embroidered tallit with gold and silver threads, crafting the intricately ornamented prayer shawls of the era. Herzenberg is grateful to have learned of this family connection as she created her own contemporary version of the tallit.
Beginning in 1974 Herzenberg has continually exhibited nationally in many fine art and craft related galleries. In 1976 the year of our country’s bicentennial Herzenberg marked this occasion by creating a soft sculpture commemorating this event and by participating in her first ACC show in Rhinebeck, NY, showing her painted soft sculptures, shower curtains and hand silk screened shirts. She has continued her creative career by participating in hundreds of fine juried shows throughout the United States.
Herzenberg continues to evolve in her art form, discovering new techniques and incorporating her unique vision and color palette into her current clothing collection.
When our current Covid crisis began Herzenberg was thinking of ways to contribute. With all the shows cancelled she and a group of friends began sewing cloth masks. The Mask Project has collectively made many hundreds of masks that have been donated to hospitals, essential workers, friends and strangers.
What is on the horizon? Herzenberg’s love of creating with fabrics will always be a strong influence, and one she will continue to explore.
“Creativity and Art have always been a profound gift and passion for which I am grateful”
Jane Herzenberg
Reflections
I have had an amazing and memorable career as a maker. Always exploring, creating clothing, soft sculpture, neckties, tallit and large wall hangings, painting, hand dyeing and sewing. Going to the shows has inspired me and seeing my customers has supplied me with the motivation to create. Collogues and customers have become valued friends. The decision to retire was not easy and I will miss seeing everyone at the shows.
Recently I have begun to resume my earlier studies in oil painting and am excited with the prospect of pursuing my art in a new medium.