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| FAC Museum staff talk with the artist before hanging her work in the Glass Corridor Left to right: Aaron Jakos, Laura BenAmots, Joy Armstrong |
Battle Portraits: Wounded Lions, Wounded Lambs
Preview in the FAC's Glass Corridor
On View at the FAC Dec. 6, 2011- Jan. 8, 2012
A series of 6-10ft. paintings created in response to the
stories of soldiers experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuiry (TBI). The accompanying large
full-color art book includes all lead-up drawings and paintings, the 12
mural sized paintings, and contributed personal interview and essays by leading
Art Historians, curators and social anthropologists. 10% of all book
proceeds are pledged to Art Therapy programs for the returning troops.
New York born painter, Laura BenAmots, spent her formative years in Israel when her family sailed from the NY harbor to Haifa in the last cross Atlantic trip of the Greek ocean liner, the Queen Anna Maria. Ms. BenAmots now resides in Colorado with her two sons where she paints and serves as Assistant Professor of Art & Gallery Director at PPCC (Pikes Peak Community College). She is committed to Art and the community.
The birth of Battle Portraits
In 2007 BenAmots felt compelled to respond to the high suicide rates among returning veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. By 2009 the vision for the Battle Portrait project was evolving as she worked to build a body of paintings and drawings that gave voice to the struggles of young men and women re-entering civilian life. In 2010 she began meeting with soldiers and hearing their stories. BATTLE PORTRAITS Wounded Lions Wounded Lambs was fully realized in 2011 as a compelling and dramatic series of paintings and drawings.
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| Lost Lion, oil on canvas, 48"x72" |
The publication of a book about the project will be released on 1/20/2012 by The Art Book Publishing Project at the BAC (Business of Art Center, Manitou Springs CO). 10% of book proceeds are to be donated to Art Therapy for returning military and veterans in treatment for PTSD and/or TBIs
Exhibit Reception and Book Signing Friday Jan. 20 followed by 5 weeks of discussions, gallery talks, community dialogues
3 comments:
What a pleasure to work with the wonderful staff at the FAC!!
Beautiful, although a tragic beauty. I appreciate your work and wish all involved to be well.
My daughter and her husband arrived back from Iraq last Spring and he leaves soon again for Afghanistan--Incredible job Laura, on capturing and elevating this issue in the public eye through your painting--Maryruth Eaves-Herrera (Artist, from Hilo, HI)
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