About the Arts
Sept. 11: Art interpretations of trauma and disaster at Haley Farm Gallery
By Rose Safran
KITTERY - I recently dropped in at the Haley Farm Gallery, which is an attractive well-lit relatively new gallery showing both global art and art by area residents.It was Saturday afternoon and there was an ongoing lecture by two teachers from Brown University, Dr. Vitali Lanko and Dr. Anait Azarian. They were explaining art as therapy, in particular, how art was used to interpret traumatic events on children.
By studying art produced by children who had experienced trauma, professionals could interpret whether a healing process was on-going or had taken place. For example, harsh, grim, black-and-white images suggested that the trauma process was incomplete; later, examination of works with color with more cheerfully drawn themes, were indications that a healing had happened. Additionally, the art by children of trauma was reported successful as a means of expression - a way in which the children could express trauma that, quite possibly, they were unable to put into words.
Currently, in the gallery are examples of art by children who have experienced trauma. Additionally, there are works of art by York Art Association and Kittery Art Association member M. P. Hopkins who wrote a book, "Harbinger - Memoirs of Recovery" about her personal journey to recovery.
Significantly at this time, the Haley Farm Gallery has an ongoing exhibition of art honoring the 9/11 firefighters by Jean Holabird; these are eye-witness accounts by an artist who is New York-based.
Additionally, the exhibit includes an image of the 9/11 towers by Ann Legg and firemen's artifacts and an American flag fragment symbolically joined by artist Christine Morgan. Conceptually linked are dark and fragmented images of her country by Iraqi artist Wasan Al Kabi, which are also on view. The exhibits will remain on view through Oct. 5.
The Haley Farm Gallery also sponsors related lectures, such as the one noted above. The next lecture scheduled is a "Poetry Afternoon" on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 3 to 5 p.m., when poets Robert Gibbons, John Perrault and Cicely Buckley will read from "The Other Side of Sorrow Anthology."
Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays by chance or appointment. The gallery is located at 178 Haley Road in Kittery. For further information, call 439-2669.
