by Tim Stensland

One of the greatest tragedies of our time was not hurricane Katrina herself, but the response that has followed. Misguided reconstruction, unaccounted assistance has defined the social mentality of our times. Whether the response or lack thereof stems from racism or capitalism or both, it has cast a sad commentary on the state of our so-called union. Sure, there are feel good stories of rescues, miracles of survival, and brief efforts by few to restore hope and dignity to the forgotten, but the neglect and abuse has cut a deep wound in many Americans. To watch what happened following the event, stirred in me anger and embarrassment I’ve never felt. I watched in disbelief, coupled with feelings of helplessness that left me even wondering what year it was. I vented this inner tension through a series of paintings which at times made me physically sick to my stomach. I painted nearly around the clock for 6 months. At one point I had the thought that if the paintings lacked a date, would some think they were painted 60 years ago, or 100? Few would imagine them to images of 21st century America, a country so rich in resources and so eager to spend billions on other countries with political agendas, yet not taking care of their own. As New Orleans puts itself back together, the question of whether it will lose the very heart and soul that it is famous for, is still yet to be answered. I question what is to become of the art and architecture of such a deeply cultural and historical icon of the United States of America.

By Ariane Goodwin, Ed.D.

Story #1: An artist contacted me once about a gallery in Soho that had asked to show his work. I’m not sure “thrilled” adequately describes his reaction. I am sure that his balloon deflated when they requested an artist statement. One year later it was so flat that, even though he was still painting, he was not exhibiting in Soho and had no artist statement.

Story #2: Another artist asked for help in writing her first artist statement, which we did…with all the attending hiccups. (It is so tempting to hide the vulnerable and personal self who creates art behind aloof words and spiritless sentences.) Imagine her surprise, a few weeks later, when a collector told her that the artist statement convinced her to buy three pieces.