FALLBROOK, Calif., Oct. 21, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Fallbrook Art Center sits in the middle of Fallbrook, Calif., not far from the Marine Corp's largest base on the West Coast and about 30 miles north of San Diego Harbor where some of the nation's most potent aircraft carriers are berthed.
Although the community has strong ties to the military, the Fallbrook Art Center for the first time has tackled the sensitive topic of war in Decades of Conflict, an exhibit that runs through Nov. 16.
If as Pablo Picasso said, "art is a lie that makes us realize truth," the current exhibit is a poignant and sometimes painful reminder of the realities of war.
The show portrays the images of wars from 1941 to present through those who experienced it first hand and those who fought their own battles at home. An exhibit that includes photos, lithographs, oil paintings, sculpture, artifacts and mixed media, strives to promote awareness, understanding and healing.
"Everything in the show is personal, and while some of the works may be disturbing, war in itself is disturbing," explains Mary Perhacs, executive director of the Fallbrook Art Center, a division of the Fallbrook Center for the Arts. "In these tumultuous times, the use of art as an outlet for emotion is needed more than ever."
For many of the 27 artists, art is a way to exorcise demons of the past, celebrate the present and in some cases retell history.
For Lemon Grove, CA artist Richard DeRosset, a former sailor and merchant mariner, historical accuracy in his oil painting is a priority. Three of his paintings at the exhibit chronicle the tragic tale of the cruiser USS Indianapolis, which was sunk by a Japanese submarine after delivering the first atomic bomb to Tinian. DeRosset not only talked to survivors but also interviewed the commander of the Japanese sub. One of his paintings actually depicts men he interviewed on the deck of the shop as it was struck by three torpedoes.
Veteran Bryant Nelson was pleasantly surprised by the reception the exhibit and his five Vietnam era photographs received. "There was a little bit of trepidation at first because of the negative reaction to the war for so many years," the Temecula, CA resident said. But he was pleased to discover the show attendees were very empathetic to the exhibit and its message.
"It's almost like the 'Welcome Home' we never heard when came back home," Nelson said.
Decades of Conflict at the Fallbrook Art Center is open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 4.p.m. and Sun. noon-3 p.m. The center is located at 103 S. Main in Fallbrook, Calif., a rural community about 40 miles north of San Diego that recently was selected as one of the top 27 art towns in California by art critic and author John Villani.