Michael Lackner's new picture of his daughter, lighting the Shabbath Candle at her Bat Mitzvah (click)

Michael Lackner was born in Los Angeles. The year was 1953. He was born under the full moon of the 15th of Kislev. Whether the lunar cycle affected his thinking we can only speculate. Michael is now a husband and father of four, an attorney, a Chassidic Jew, and an artist. While some artists wish to portray beauty, Michael strives to approach truth.

Self Portrait

He fundamentally believes in the unity of all things and struggles to transcend the illusion of separation. He abhors religious self-glorification and bigotry. How does one approach truth? By appreciating the power and beauty in all religious traditions. By moving backward through time to touch the Source, the Origin, of all things. By being honestly self-critical. By raising troubling issues instead of pretending that none exist. Truth is struggle. This is the essence of Israel: "He who struggles with G-d." Paradoxically, through this struggle unity is realized.

About the picture to the right:This charcoal on paper self-portrait was done in great haste, at a time when my head was not in a good place. At the time I was in the midst of a profound struggle of religious identity and relationships. It was not a good place, but it was a very important place. A place of agonizing rebirth. In hindsight, this was one of the most significant transitional periods of my life. As a result I chose to return to art in a serious way. I chose to re-think who and what I am. I chose truth over orthodox conformity, pushing the boundaries of Orthodox Judaism to the breaking point. Yet I have not wholly rejected that system. I reside in it to this day.

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Inspired by a drama, based on the apochryphal bible story and written by Farzana Moon,
Michael Lackner presents a stunning picture of "Judith"

Another inspiration from Farzana Moon, led to Michael Lackner's creation of a picture named for the story Farzana had written. This collaboration resulted in a beautiful painting entitled Oblong Mirror - a fitting centerpiece for Farzana Moon's offerings.

Click for a Larger Image

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