Peter Z. Malkin has lived a
multi-colored life as a full human being. In Casting Pebbles on the
Water with a Cluster of Colors, he offers his paintings and reflections,
freely–with their brightness and shades of gray.
His original, unedited letters–written in English
and Hebrew on the pages of the book–reflect the balance of humor,
imagination, and realism that influence his art and define his
character. The setting of the letters serves to enhance the intensity of
the artist's emotion. Borrowed from their pages, "My Father"
and "Yaacov," are a prologue to the past; "A War
Hero" and "The Crying Stones Of Jerusalem" close the
circle with a pensive epilogue. The artwork shines throughout.
When Peter returned from South America in 1960, he
moved away from an artistic period that was inspired by the capture of
Adolf Eichmann, memories of his family that had died in the Holocaust,
and his mood as he guarded Eichmann day and night.
Later while living in France, Peter continued
painting in many different styles, blending the essence of the
Impressionists whom he admires.
He painted on canvases of many sizes. But it was
always his intention to paint another book in the manner of The
Argentina Journal, which had challenged only a small portion of his
fascination with this medium. As a secret agent Peter's thoughts were not
idle for one minute. To write, paint and spy takes a great deal of
concentration. Many years would pass until he found the atmosphere and
the freedom to create without pressure and restriction.
After two years, this second "diary" was
complete and became a complement to The Argentina Journal, both
artistically and personally.
"It costs so much to be a full human being that
there are very few who have the enlightenment, or the courage, to pay
the price..."
-Morris L. West, The Shoes of the Fisherman
Patricia G. Ambinder
May, 2002
Publisher's note:
Patricia G. Ambinder has been Peter Z. Malkin's executive assistant,
editor and co-writer since 1995.
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