On Sunday, May 3, from 3 to 5 p.m., a reception will be held in the Fleck Room of the UUMH of Chatham for UUMH member artist Priscilla Smith of Chatham, whose exhibit, “Images Matter” is running there throughout the month of April, and may also be viewed by the public any Sunday morning after services and by appointment.  Refreshments will be served and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend.  At 3:30 p.m., the artist will present a slide show describing her anti-war art.

The artist, who is also an accomplished harpist well known in her congregation and at First Night Chatham, creates large, dramatic textile pieces in brilliant color that demand our attention and direct our hearts and eyes to the injustices of war, bigotry, and man’s inhumanity to man.  She lived in New Jersey at the time of 9/11, and its impact can be seen in pieces such as “Transmigration of Souls II,” which depicts the broken skeletons of the towers overshadowed by the image of an airliner.

In her artist’s statement, Smith says, “As a textile artist, I focus my art on ‘social justice’ and ‘anti-war’ issues. My art is designed to provoke thought and emotion; to raise consciousness; and to galvanize change.  For many years of my life, I marched and protested against war and stood up for efforts to ensure that every individual receives the basic rights of a just society….But that is not enough.  The artist must also create ‘images’.  Images which reflect the horror and dark side of war.  Images which reflect racial injustice.  Images which reflect sexual violence against all peoples.....women, children and men.  Images which reflect all types of discrimination against those less privileged.....the others.”

“I make beautiful embroidery pieces stitched with the ugly words of war. I intentionally use discordant colors to further the reaction that ‘it just doesn’t feel right’.”
 
The Fleck Room is located in the lower level of the Meeting House, 819 Main Street, Chatham, and is most easily accessed from the Queen Anne Road entrance to the Meeting House.