Holocaust Survivor, 89, Wins 'Best of Show' in Royal Oak

A West Bloomfield sculptor and Holocaust survivor, whose work depicts stories from the Bible, took home a nice ribbon at South Oakland Art Association exhibit at the Royal Oak Historical Museum.

Henry Friedman, 89, received a gold ribbon for "Best of Show." 

"I create two types of artwork," said Friedman. "Half of it deals with stories from the Bible and the other half deals with the Holocaust. I am a survivor of the Holocaust."

Friedman was born in Rustenberg, Germany. After turning 16, he spent four and a half years in extermination camps. He, and two brothers, were liberated by American Troops at Mauthausen, Austria on May 5, 1945.

"How I survived? I don't know. It was a miracle," he said.

Friedman moved to the U.S., and worked for General Motors until he retired at age 73. He began sculpting 45 years ago as a way to make gifts for his wife. Today, he has enough work to fill his basement.

"The reason I create stories of the Bible is to give the young generation a thought. Besides crime and drugs, there is a joyful life through religion, any religion - it doesn't matter," Friedman said. 

Freidman's ribbon-winning piece, "Minian" (prayer group), is made from aluminum, bronze, brass, silver and copper and depicts the 10 men praying.

"Such a house of worship doesn't exist," Friedman said. "I didn't copy anything. It's just from my own mind."

You can see Friedman's piece, along with the work of more than 30 artists at the Royal Oak Historical Museum, 1411 W. Webster Rd., through the end of October. The museum is open from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

For more information on the South Oakland Art Association visit www.sooaklandart.com.