Despite a large body of work in films, TV, theatre and concerts, I am viewed by many as a Jewish artist. I do not resent the label, except for the fact that I disapprove of labels in general.
In my world, history comes down to language and art.
Must we be put to shame by much smaller and poorer countries, by Ireland, France, Austria or Sweden, who have understood that a nation's support of its arts is a matter of both national pride and cultural survival?
As an artist I have an even more abiding interest in the compact between the Arts and Government.
In my world, history comes down to language and art. No one cares much about what battles were fought, who won them and who lost them - unless there is a painting, a play, a song or a poem that speaks of the event.
You cannot please all of the people all of the time, and that is truer in the arts than anywhere else.
I am not a specialist but a general practitioner in the world of the arts.
But, when I toil in the field of Jewish culture which I frequently do, I am indeed a Jewish artist.
No heirloom of humankind captures the past as do art and language.