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Vol. 2, Issue #16 August 31st - September 13th, 2007
'Painted Atrocities' Strives to Capture 9/11
The latest additions to the ‘Painted Atrocities’ series are, of course, no exception. Ghastly, vulgar and possibly more controversial, the new set of paintings strive to yield thought to one of America’s closest and most tragic experiences: September 11. With shockingly, moving pieces depicting a complexity of violence, Humphries uses imagery like a suicidal Statue of Liberty to represent the loss of liberty in America to terrorists lifting a burning American flag as a mockery of the famous WWII picture of Iwo Jima. In a jumbled array of colors, Humphries’ work alludes to the possible moral and religious causes, the emotions and the experiences of Ground Zero. A flood of different thoughts may fly through your head as you examine the paintings’ layered meanings, so it is no surprise that the artwork has been met with such varied perceptions.
Regardless of the different compliments or controversies his paintings may cause, Humphries hopes his art may serve as an influential expression for change. “I hope the September 11 paintings serve the same purpose that all of my ‘Atrocities’ paintings serve, and that is to remind people that evil truly does exist, right here on Earth, and all too often innocent, decent people fall prey to it,” he said. To catch a glimpse of some of Humphries’ controversial pieces, head down to IAO Gallery at 811 N. Broadway for his next opening on October 5. The show will feature several of Humphries’ pieces, including some of his newest works like the September 11 paintings and his new pieces about the Manson family murders. The opening will also exhibit the robust industrial creations of stainless steel sculptor Robert Bellamy. Bellamy’s almost colorless, three-dimensional creations will be very different than Humphries’ bright and bold stylizations, but IAO executive director Jeff Stokes believes the contrast will be appealing and the dark underlying qualities of the art will bring the similarities out in each other. For more information about the art opening or either featured artist, you can contact IAO Gallery at 232-6060. The ‘Painted Atrocities’ opening is open to the public at no charge and will be held Friday, October 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The artists’ pieces will be on display until October 26. |
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©2007 NONCO Media, L.L.C.