Art from the HeArt: Healing Hatred in America
β’ What: An online art exhibit designed to bring attention to the problems of hatred and violence in the United states and the need for peace, unity and civil discourse. The project was started two days after the recent shootings in Tucson.
• Where: Go to artfromtheheart.org to see the works of art already submitted.
β’ Call to artists: A prospectus is on the website for anyone who wants to submit a work of art. Each piece in the juried online exhibit is accompanied by an artist statement explaining the thought process that went into the artwork.
Quilt therapy
Tucsonan Linda Moran coped with the Tucson shootings by quilting. Her candle quilt can be seen on the Art From the HeArt website. It is accompanied by a statement explaining Moran's thought process as she sewed. Here is an excerpt:
"This was a tough piece to do, but it had to be done. It started last Sunday (Jan. 9), the day after the Tucson shootings.
"I was in deep depression over the shootings and had to work with some fabric. I pulled some blacks that looked like barriers, fencing. I used ... red thread for 'blood.'
"I wanted to look at the words and ideas that continue to divide us as a country. I printed out the words on white fabric and then sewed them to the background. I used a large needle with very fine thread, as I wanted the needle holes to show, like the bullet holes that wound us.
"I knew I would have a candle with a flame to illuminate the darkness. I printed out the names of the shooting victims. I know from visiting the Vietnam Memorial how powerful names can be, and I do not want us ever to forget these six people. I want their lives to shine down on us and help us overcome these horrible things that divide us."
