While the medium of art may have changed drastically over the last few hundred years, it remains one of the most powerful means of expression, storytelling, and cultural reflection. From the intricate frescoes of the Renaissance era to modern digital creations, art continues to capture our emotions, challenge our perspectives, and document the human experience in a way that no other form of creativity can.
This is especially true when it comes to Jewish art. In the 20th century, Jewish art was arguably at its peak, becoming a vital means of preserving identity and expressing resilience in the face of adversity. Whether it was infamous artists like Marc Chagall, Ben Shah, or Mark Rothko, the creative form became a way to reflect the struggles and triumphs of entire communities, to the point where they’re still looked at in awe today.
But in the world of art, of course, it’s always a good thing to look forward as well as backward. Yes, the paintings of Chagall and Shah can teach us a great deal about history and the power of visual storytelling, but it’s important for contemporary Jewish artists to tell our own stories, shaping the artistic landscape in new and meaningful ways. So who are the most inspirational Jewish artists in 2025, and what do they tell us about the age we live in?
Julie Mehretu
Perhaps the most inspirational Jewish artist right now is Ethiopian-born Julie Mehretu, who is celebrated for her intricate abstract paintings that explore themes of displacement and personal identity.
Characterised by its intricate layers, dynamic brushwork, and architectural influences, Mehretu’s work combines a range of art forms, working to symbolise migration, displacement, and the movement of people – themes that resonate deeply with her own background and the background of many others. In 2024, she was recognised for this by being labelled one of the most influential artists in the world by Artsy, and she has recently been commissioned to create an installation for the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago, which is set to open in 2026.
Anish Kapoor
Art isn’t just about painting, of course. One of the most interesting and intricate art forms is sculpting, with one of the most respected sculptors being Anish Kapoor, who has influenced the art world for decades with his monumental and thought-provoking installations.
Being a British-Indian sculptor of Jewish heritage, Kapoor is known for his large-scale sculptures that push the boundaries of materiality, perception, and spatial experience, with the artist being best known for his work ‘Cloud Gate’ – a reflective stainless steel sculpture in Chicago’s Millennium Park – and ‘Descension’ – a swirling vortex of black water which has been exhibited in various locations worldwide. As of 2024, Kapoor has also become one of the most forward-thinking artists out there, with his work beginning to incorporate numerous digital technologies, as the artist explores how AI-generated patterns interact with traditional sculptural forms.
Zoya Cherkassky-Nnadi
The last artist we want to talk about is Zoya Cherkassky-Nnadi, who was originally from Kyiv, but now lives in Israel. Over the last few years, Cherkassky-Nnadi has become one of the leading figures in the Jewish art world, as her provocative pieces take a deep look into Israel and numerous historical events. This includes her famous 2018 exhibition, ‘Pravda’, which was showcased at The Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Delving into her family’s experiences and the collective memory of her generation, Cherkassky-Nnadi beautifully captured the nuances of Soviet childhood, as well as the challenges that came with adapting to Israeli society.
While her most recent works have sparked controversy – during a talk at the Jewish Museum in February 2024, protesters accused her art of being ‘imperial propaganda’ – Cherkassky-Nnadi has not taken a step back, and this is perhaps one of her most remarkable features. In a world of division and uncertainty, it is up to the artists to express their inner truth and not be scared to push the boundaries. That is exactly what Cherkassky-Nnadi – and the other artists on this list, for that matter – is doing, and that’s what makes them such inspirational Jewish voices in 2025.
Conclusion
These are three of the most influential Jewish artists currently sharing their work, but there are many more, including Sula Bermudez-Silverman, Sigalit Landau, Sasha Gordon, and many more. All of these artists have contributed so much to the form, and they will continue to do so for many years to come. So if you’re interested in Jewish art and you want fresh, awe-inspiring perspectives that shed light on your own world, we’d definitely recommend having a look at their exhibitions and seeing what resonates.