DISCLAIMER: This article contains graphic descriptions that could be triggering.
“It was like the back of his neck was sizzling…he was staggering around in a circle and he kept screaming…and I kept telling myself…you are in hell.”
That is Marvin, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, recounting a story where he saw one of his fellow soldiers get hit by a white phosphorus artillery shell. The “Experiencing Veterans and Artists Collaborations” exhibit, a project in which curators interviewed 24 veterans about their experiences, is what facilitated artist Kathy McGhee to base her work off of Marvin’s interview just like the other 28 artists involved in this project.
Marvin’s story, as well as the other veterans involved with this project, inspired 29 pieces of art that can be seen in the Giertz Gallery at Parkland College until Nov. 12.
Lisa Costello, the art gallery director at Parkland, describes the project as “…inspiring because it is really a true collaboration between the veterans and the artists.” She accredits this to the amount of planning and research the creators of the project did to ensure the veterans’ stories could be accurately depicted. The curators of the project, according to Costello, pushed to get “…as many living veterans as they could.” Due to this, they were able to interview veterans who served in WWII.
Further commenting on the project, Costello explains how the project and art itself can play a role in processing trauma that veterans have experienced. She states, “I think each veteran is unique in how they processed having a work created by an artist.”
Costello includes that the interviews of the veterans were recorded and then transcribed so they would not have to retell the stories repeatedly. Additionally, all of the works are prints so each veteran interviewed was given a copy of the piece they inspired. The prints are also for sale with the profit made off of them going to “…non-profit organizations that support veteran services.”
Going into the art itself, Lauren Cooke, a Giertz Gallery attendant, explains her favorite works “I would have to say my top three favorite works would be ‘M.L: Seaman, Country Before Self,’ ‘Forging Ahead’ and ‘For Leonard.’ I think the reason I gravitate toward these pieces the most is because they are each incredibly detailed in their own way.” Cooke details further, “While ‘M.L: Seaman, Country Before Self’ uses intricate designs to tell the bittersweet story of a veteran’s return home, ‘For Leonard’ uses delicate lines and detailing to convey a much darker mood. This is why this show is so appreciable; each piece tells a story in a different way.”
For many, art is a form of expression that can aid people in processing their emotions, whether that be for the artist or consumer. Costello encourages those who are interested in art to join the Art and Design Club. The group has many different activities related to the development of art including visiting different exhibitions, having different artists visit the college and doing demonstrations. Those interested can contact Lisa Costello. Additional information regarding the project as well as digital uploads of the art pieces are available on the project’s website at:https://www.evacproject.org/view-all.html.
