Before 2002, the self -taught artist and activist of Maine Robert Sheterly had never painted a portrait. This changed after the September 11 attacks when the US government has launched a large scale military campaign whose death is estimated at More than 4.5 million people in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen, with 38 million people moved from their houses.
“I was so upset, angry, full of sorrow and I felt so alienated from this country that I thought I had to answer, that I could not continue to do what I was doing,” said Sheterly Hyperalgic.
This feeling of inner agitation and exasperation has catalyzed the artist Americans who tell the truth Series (2002 – Enterre), for which Sheterly produced 270 portraits of people who worked to solve a variety of social, environmental and economic problems. Next month will see the publication of 50 colorful portraits centered on peace activists like Dorothy Day, Howard Zinn and Alice Walker, compiled in a book titled Portraits of peacemakers (New Village Press). In addition to short biographies developing on the life and work of subjects, it contains tests by academics, militants and cultural commentators, notably Alice Rothchild, Kali Rubaii and David Swanson.
The portraits of 36 by 30 inches were each created via a process of about a week which involves a combination of brushes, palette knives, fingers and dental choice, which Sheterly uses to register the quotes of subjects in the surfaces of the works. But the physical act of painting is only one element of these representations.
“I actually spend more time looking than painting,” said the artist, adding that he often compiles several pages of potential quotes to climb before reducing his options. In cases where the subject is still alive, he contacts them to have comments before making final decisions.
Collectively, the portraits form a Image of several generations of peacemakers, whose variable approaches to activism cover the organization of the base, journalism, public service, diplomacy, education and paternity. Although their work may not seem unrelated to each other, Sheterly stresses that these subjects are connected to a fundamental level.
“Sometimes (the cause is) of the race. Sometimes it is sex. Sometimes it is the environment and the climate. Often, it is peace or creation of peace. However, these are people with the courage and perseverance of insisting that politicians and the media tell the truth about what is said, what are the real problems and how they can be repaired, “said Shetely.
At this point, Portraits of peacemakers drawing between the life of individuals as the defender of peace Rachel Corriewho was killed by an Israeli armored Bulldozer in 2003 while protesting against the military shaving of Palestinian houses; Former American soldier Camilo Mejía, whom the army found guilty of desertion after refusing to return to the battlefield in 2004; and union organizer at the beginning of the 20th century and war objectors Ben SalmonWho lived and died by belief that “there is not an animal as a just war”.
The broadcast journalist Amy Goodman, co-founder of the independent information program Democracy now! And one of the artisans featured in the book, told Hyperalgic That it is “incredibly honored to be included and humiliated to be in the company of the remarkable people that Robert painted”.
While Sheterly has spent the last 22 years recreating the similarities of others, he admitted that he had never ventured to paint himself and probably will never do it.
“When people ask me this question, I say that this project is my self -portrait,” said Sheterly. “It's me, and these are the things I think, the people I think.”
