PUMP PROJECT: FULL BLAST
May 13 – 20
Opening Party: Tuesday, May 13, 7pm
Artists Reception: Friday, May 16, 7pm
Closing Party: Tuesday, May 20, 7pm 2906 Fruth St. (next to Spiderhouse)Austin, TX 78705Bar/gallery open: 8pm-2am M-Th The United States Art Authority and curator J.Haley summon you to come celebrate the work of artists from Pump Project Art Complex, Austin's largest art incubator. Music, film projections, drink specials and the highest caliber of full-blastedness will ensue throughout the week. Featuring work by: Sarah Raymer | Debra Broz | Rachelle Diaz | J.Haley | Joelle Geisler | Alicia Hartzell | David de Lara | Erika Jaeggli | Jan Roset | Amber Kappes | Matt Wester | Emilie Houssart | Gerardo Arellano | Holli Brown | Zoe Comings | Jennifer Prichard | Justine Mardavich | Melinda Carter | Edson Zinser | Daisy Yokley | Leanne Venier | and more... | | | |
For more information, contact J.Haley at artisgreat@mac.com or 208-608-0812. |
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MATT WESTER: MY OCCUPATION
May 24 – June 15
Reception: Saturday, May 24, 7-10pm Gallery Hours: M 5-8pm; W-Sa 1-5pm and by appointment 
Pump Project is pleased to announce the debut of 25 paintings by Matt Wester, a series focusing on his experiences as an Army photojournalist in Iraq. After September 11, Wester decided to leave his position as a special-education teacher and join the National Guard as a public affairs specialist. Wester was stationed in Iraq 25 miles northwest of Bagdhad from January 2005 to January 2006, serving his brigade of 2,500 as a journalist for military newspapers and as a liaison with civilian media. "I wrote stories about all different kinds of army jobs, from tankers to army nurses to mechanics. I went on missions three to four times a week for a year, and that's where I took the photos," Wester explains. Although he personally opposed the war in Iraq because he felt it was unjustified and unrelated to the terrorist acts of 2001, he saw his military service as a means to capture a firsthand visual record of the conflict. Wester used his downtime on the base to digitally manipulate his photos, resulting in stencil-like silhouettes for a bold, high-contrast effect. During this time, he also began planning a painting series combining the most powerful images. Says Wester, "I feel driven to get these images down and make a statement about the war. It's therapeutic to put these images into my own terms while translating them into art, and I'm able to express my feelings about the war at the same time." It's safe to assume from this personal series that his reaction to suffering is deep empathy.
– The Austin Chronicle A portion of Wester's Iraq series was previewed at the United States Art Authority in February. The artist will donate 10% of the proceeds from painting sales to Fisher House, a program that provides military families with a safe, comfortable place to stay near the hospital where their loved one is being treated for injury or illness. For more information, contact Matt Wester at mattwester@yahoo.com. |
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