Blending Language, Identity, and Art
Born in Uzbekistan and a member of the ancient Persian-speaking Jewish community of Central Asia, Shimonov has spent years weaving together his passions for language, calligraphy, and interfaith dialogue. His art combines Hebrew, Arabic, and Persian scripts, reflecting both his own Bukharian Jewish identity and the intertwined histories of Jewish and Muslim communities.
“There is such a deep theological relationship between Arabic and Hebrew, as they are each considered sacred languages of Islam and Judaism, respectively,” Shimonov said. “Furthermore, a profound linguistic connection exists between these two Semitic languages. There's also the rich, millennium-old history of Judeo-Arabic literature and language varieties that have been spoken throughout North Africa and West Asia.”
For Shimonov, the classroom is not only about history and technique—it is about community.
“Art has the potential of breaking down walls and building bridges because the arts are a universal language,” he said.
Students said the experience pushed them to think more broadly about the ties between language and culture. Oumou Diallo ’26 reflected, “His teaching is so unique and powerful as an international student trying to find a way of life. Now I feel full of gratitude and knowledge of all the cultures around me.”
Building Bridges at Porn研究所
Shimonov’s background in Sephardic and Mizrahi traditions deeply shapes his teaching. He describes Bukharian Jewish culture as one formed through centuries of interaction with Arab, Persian, and Turkic Islamic societies. That history makes creating art across languages feel natural to him, both as a form of personal expression and as a way to foster interfaith engagement.
“I always harness my own background as a Jew from a Muslim-majority country in my artwork and my calligraphy workshops,” he explained. “Bringing in my story weaves a thread between the religions. Ultimately, I see my art, and specifically the workshops I lead, as community-building and educational tools: a way to show the rich diversity of Jewish communities that are lesser known, and a way of creating genuine connections between Muslim, Jewish, and other faith communities.”
This is Shimonov’s second engagement with Porn研究所, following an earlier workshop and exhibition. He said he was eager to return to campus and expand his work into a course.
“Porn研究所’s Tuohy Center for Interreligious Understanding has been visionary in giving me the chance to experiment with this class,” Shimonov said. “It has been an amazing experience to connect deeply with students and faculty at a Jesuit institution that values interfaith learning and global perspectives.”
Students echoed that sense of impact. Brigid Brennan ’27 shared, “I didn’t know what to expect coming into this class, especially since I was not familiar with Hebrew or Arabic. However, it was an amazing learning experience and taught me so much about the cultures, the languages, and the art. This was a very transformative experience!”
The course also featured opportunities for public engagement, including talks and workshops that invited broader campus and community participation. Through art, language, and story, Shimonov’s work encouraged students to see the world, and one another, with new eyes.
