An Artist Finds Inspiration
In Homer, Politics And
Kidnapping

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"Dance On The Edge Of A Precipice" is Robert Schefman's metaphor for how aging often diminishes the adventurous spirit.

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everal years ago, living in
the SoHo section of New
York City, painter Robert
Schefman had one of those
days. Even by New York stan-
dards, it was strange.
It wasn't one of those days
when you walk into a packed
subway and meet up with one
man claiming to be Picasso, an-
other who swears he's George
Washington and a third who in-
sists he's Napoleon. Nor was Mr.
Schefman merely verbally as-
saulted, accosted or mugged.
Rather, he was kidnapped,
bound and held hostage for 12
hours.
During that harried day, held
at gunpoint, he became an un-
willing accomplice to a break-in.
His past and his future, he could
see very well, were merging to-
gether.
Some people might have be-
come philosophical. But Mr.
Schefman's talents allowed him
to look for meaning where many
would have found it difficult to
look beyond the terror. That sit-
uation became the inspiration for
his painting, "Underwear Are
Not Always White."
Yes, he's an artist. His sculp-
tures are displayed prominent-
ly on university campuses and
cultural spaces around metro De-

troit. His control of watercolors apparently offer universal truths
is such that it looks as if he used that the artist finds compelling.
"It's about Everyman — hu-
oils. But foremost, Mr. Schefman
is a moral storyteller who brush- man beings fighting for what they
believe in," he said.
es parables on canvas.
"As I've reread the Iliad and
"Telling Tales," at the Janice
Charach Epstein Museum Odyssey, I've come to the view
Gallery, demonstrates Mr. Schef- that the values (in the stories) are
man's mastery. The exhibit is rich consistent," he said. Arriving at
in allegory and draws upon that view has been a journey, an
Homer's Iliad and Odyssey to ex- odyssey itself.
After he completed his under-
plore the "constancy of human
graduate studies at Michigan
values," he said.
"Developing these ideas is like State University, Mr. Schefman
a tapestry," Mr. Schefman said. went to the University of Iowa,
"My work has been called hyper- where he received a master of
realist because it goes beyond fine arts degree. Shortly there-
replicating the photograph, and after, he moved to New York.
Five years ago, Mr. Schefinan
explores the experience of sight."
The show opened in mid-Jan- moved back to metro Detroit. He
uary to a crowded gallery. Many and his wife live in West Bloom-
had followed Mr. Schefman's de- field, raising a daughter and a
velopment during his days as a son. He also teaches painting and
member of a group of New York sculpture at the Birmingham
Bloomfield Art Association.
figurative painters.
Since childhood, Mr. Schefman
"You don't see many realistic
figurative painters working with has returned to the Iliad and
narrative in such a powerful Odyssey in times when he sought
way," said Sylvia Nelson, gallery perspective. The exhibit is his in-
director. "His watercolors are pre- terpretation of the "timeless"
cise and appear as if they're lit themes.
In "Song of the Siren," depict-
from behind. His works are
thought-out, integrating many ing one of the most sweeping
themes of the exhibit, Ulysses
details."
Although Mr. Schefman says and his crew struggle to resist the
he draws on many inspirational enticing song that lures them to
sources, Homer's classic tales the fatal rock-covered shore.