Creativity After Combat Prints that reflect the veteran experience
February 3, 2020
The Escalette Collection is proud to announce our Spring 2020 exhibition:
Creativity After Combat
February 3rd – August 31st, 2020
Henley Galleria, Argyros Forum, Second Floor
This exhibition honors veterans, past and present, and explores the unique ability of visual art to capture aspects of the veteran experience. It is not widely appreciated that many well-known artists served in the United States military. The Escalette Permanent Collection owns several artworks by prominent artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, and Frank Gehry, whose service is not often foregrounded.
Creativity After Combat brings together work by well-known World War II veteran artist John Paul Jones, and prints from the Veterans Print Project that were created from the testimonies of veterans recently returned from conflicts around the world. This dialogue between past and present illustrates the capacity of art to reflect on, document, and express diverse experience. We invite you to contemplate the complexity of these experiences, and explore the different backgrounds and perspectives behind this work.
Veterans in the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art
The Escalette Collection has 80 artworks made by veteran artists whose service is not often discussed. Most of these artists, such as Sam Francis, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Liechtenstein, and John Paul Jones served in the U.S. Army during World War II. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge their service to our country. In this exhibition, we have highlighted the work of John Paul Jones, whose prints illustrate the emotional effects of war and the strength required to transition back into society.
John Paul Jones, Spanish Woman, Lithograph, 1963. Gift of Nancy Noble and Dennis Hudson.
John Paul Jones, Bovitch in Egypt, Lithograph, 1963. Gift of Nancy Noble and Dennis Hudson.
The Veteran Prints Project
“We see what you’re saying”
Veteran Print Project brings artists and veterans together in dialogue to visualize the experiences of veterans through the traditional methods of fine art print.
This initiative seeks to create a living record of veteran experiences and perspectives through historical narrative and artistic interpretation. Subsequent to an interview, veteran participants are matched with local print makers whose tasks are to artistically interpret the veteran experiences and perspectives. The original artwork and a short narrative are then displayed for public viewing in galleries across the country.
The Veteran Print Project is an invitation to the community to honor and celebrate the diverse experiences and perspectives of our veterans.
Explore more prints from the Veteran Prints Project here.
Yvette M. Pino, In the Light You Will Find the Road, Intaglio Print, Veteran Prints Project, 2012. Will be acquired using funds from the Escalette Endowment.
Veteran: Jennifer G., US ARMY
Artist Statement: Jennifer G. served in the Military Police in Kosovo in 1999. Part of her day-to-day operations was to patrol through the rolling green countryside as well as through the trash-laden villages. Throughout their missions, her team found and secured weapon caches as well as mass gravesites. They assisted in the search for missing persons as well as the apprehension and detention of enemy personnel. This print is a graphic abstraction of the experiences Jennifer described.
Paul Keefe, Tug of War, Intaglio print, 2013, Veteran Prints Project. Will be acquired using funds from the Escalette Endowment.
Veteran: John F., US Coast Guard
Artist Statement: This print is dedicated to United States Coast Guard Veteran John F. “Tug of War” references his mixed feelings while enforcing the borders between Florida and Cuba/Haiti. His sympathy for impoverished illegal immigrants and his commitment to country are at odds.
Jennifer Ghormley, The Peacekeepers, Woodcut, stencil screenprint, and acrylic wash, 2014, Veteran Prints Project. Will be acquired using funds from the Escalette Endowment.
Veteran: Monica H., US Air Force
Artist Statement: In listening to Monica’s story and learning about her experiences, one of the things that stuck with me was the physical impact one endures as a tool for waging war in order to establish peace. Monica mentioned that she has Tinnitus, or a constant ringing in the ears, as a result from being around loud noises, operating artillery, machine guns and grenade launchers, etc. So while she is no longer enlisted, and has a whole life of experiences ahead of her, this constant reminder will always be present. My piece is an interpretation of this event, as a grimacing textural face is recoiling from the exploding sounds of numerous M-16s emanating from the ear.
Creativity After Combat Events and Programs
Saturday, February 22 | 9:00am-12:00pm
VETERANS PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
(event for Chapman veterans only)
Instruction given by veteran-photographer Giovanni Berdejo-Gallegos followed by photography outing and discussion.
Wednesday, February 26 | 11:30am-1:00pm
LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN
Center for American War Letters, Leatherby Libraries
Write a letter of gratitude to a deployed troop, veteran, caregiver, wounded hero, or recent recruit.
Free lunch provided with RSVP.
Wednesday, February 26 | 6:00-8:00pm
CREATIVITY AFTER COMBAT LECTURE AND RECEPTION
Center for American War Letters, Leatherby Libraries
Lecture by Yvette M. Pino, a veteran-artist and founded of the Veteran Prints Project.
Saturday, March 14 | 9:00am-12:00pm
VETERANS CERAMICS WORKSHOP
(event for Chapman veterans and their families only)
Ceramics class taught by student and Art Ambassador, Alyson Brandes.
Wednesday, April 1 | TBD
VETERANS POETRY WORKSHOP
RSVP required (link coming soon!)
Saturday, April 18th | TBD
ART, YOGA, BRUNCH
(event for women veterans at Chapman only)
Tour of the Creativity After Combat exhibition followed by a relaxing yoga session and brunch.
RSVP required (link coming soon!)
We invite you to explore all the works made by veteran-artists in the Escalette Collection by visiting our eMuseum.
Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is the proud home of the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art. The Escalette Collection exists to inspire critical thinking, foster interdisciplinary discovery, and strengthen bonds with the community. Beyond its role in curating art in public spaces, the Escalette is a learning laboratory that offers diverse opportunities for student and engagement and research, and involvement with the wider community. The collection is free and open to the public to view.
Funding provided by the Escalette Endowment, and Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Chapman’s resources for veterans include the Veterans Resource Center, Chapman Veterans club, and the Military and Veterans Law Institute.
