AFTERTHOUGHTS

Why did we do this peace art show?

We were compelled to, we all had these messages we wanted to share, and we had no choice but to do it.  It is my humble opinion that the truest art is message art.  We each have learned to speak in the language of our chosen craft.  Having learned the language, it is reasonable to expect that we may have something to say.  Indeed we did.

Our work on this planet involves coexisting with other beings, and communication is a necessary part of that work.  I believe we have an obligation to put into words and images our insights and interpretations of the happenings in our world: 

Where there is beauty and harmony, we celebrate it.  If there are injustices, should we not  speak out?  If there are doubts and suspicions, we can debate and investigate.  When there are crimes against humanity being committed by our leaders, on our behalf, we have a duty to demand accountability, and a moral obligation to cry out “No More Killing!”

When the government produces propaganda to hide its criminal behavior behind, and tries to convince us that down is up and wrong is right, we must pull off the mask and expose the truth, that murder is murder, and corporate greed is corporate greed, and racial hatred is racial hatred, and none of them is patriotic, or moral, or acceptable.

Did we solve anything?

Well, it is hard to know.  For the artists who participated, we became part of a small community, at least for those few days.  This community nurtured us and our messages, and gave us hope that the cause of peace is worth working for.  And the people who came to see the show also joined in our community, and perhaps we all took away a sense that we are not alone in our opposition to war.   We each gained new ways to think about the challenges we face, and new methods to use in our struggle.  Our vocabularies have been enlarged, and our voices enhanced. 

It is our hope that other artists will produce more messages of Peace and Love, and develop more exhibitions like this one.  We have all committed to working to help anyone who wants to try to put on more Peace Art Shows, and we will not give up until the society we live in wakes up.

Tracy Powell, 2008