Recurring Nightmares - Mixed Media
By gossamergypsy
I have the privilege of knowing veterans from past and present wars.
Many of these individuals saw things that the general population is sheltered from. Other individuals have had to do things that they can never talk about.
From the little scraps of information I have been honored and entrusted with, I created this artwork. Recurring Nightmare is about the tortures many combat veterans struggle with daily after returning to their homes. The memories are vivid, sometimes distorted but always terrifyingly intrusive.
The artwork is a body of water that is continuesly filled by an “oasis.” The water does not discriminate between friend or fow, evil or good, man or woman, young or old, it engulfs all. Dicentra spectabilis (Bleeding Hearts) hangs above the scene denoting the irony of life.
I would not place myself as an expert of battle, but I will venture to say that if this is the gift given by war I am thankful for not being chosen to participate.
Lastly, I respect the soldier who is willing to stand for a belief. I am willing to support them. I am weary of the government that considers death as “just politics.”
Dimensions: 46cm x 61cm
Materials: Magazine Clippings, Acrylic paint, Sharpie Markers on Canvas
20080505 8:32 pm
I am glad that my nights are not (usually) filled with material such as this; your depiction seems both skillful and haunting.