Peace of Art at Boston's Gateway

by Rosario Teixeira

Boston, MA - Peace of Art is now on display at the Grand Concourse, South Station Building. Located in the heart of Boston's financial district, it is Boston's gateway to 125,000 daily passengers and simultaneously a point of departure as well as a destination to some 400,000 people each week.
The art work will be available for viewing until April 16th and then it will be transported to Boston City Hall.

Peace of Art was created by internationally known artist Daniel Varoujan Hejinian. Over the years, he has contributed to many worthy charities with his art, but Peace of Art goes a step further and projects his efforts onto the global arena. The art exhibit is comprised of twenty one pieces which combine superb artistry and eloquently express realities of the society we live in. Devoid of political or religious dogma, the art work promotes understanding and foster dialogue on issues concerning human suffering, leaving up to the viewer to draw his or her own conclusions.

The exhibit is dedicated to the peace keepers of the world. Although nine pieces will be on display, the entire collection may be viewed at www.PeaceofArt.org. Each piece is a snap shot of humanity and here we find reflections of ourselves, the threads that connect us all. From the fragility of peace, to the depth of human suffering and loss, from the extraordinary human resilience, to the power of love and the will to make a different, the art work will inspire and will invite everyone to ponder upon these themes.

"Peace Drummer" is the front piece on display. It shows a woman dressed in white as a symbol of liberty releasing the dove, the symbol of peace. "Family" portrays a healthy family as the heart of the community, the basis of peace and tolerance. In "Paper Dove," peace is a paper dove in a child's hands. There's pain, suffering and insecurity. The child releases the paper dove and a group of people extend their hands waiting for the dove to return. The man in "Peace of Heart" has many faces, a kaleidoscope of emotions. One looks to the woman he wants to protect, the other looks out in vigil, hand held out showing the stigma of terrorism on his palm. September 11 forever imprinted him with mistrust. "Crucifixion of Humanity" reflects the constant threat of biological and nuclear warfare, a mother attempts to protect her child who innocently plays with a dove in her lap. "Peace of Bread" shows two people holding each other as they starve to death trying to fill each other with their love before an empty place. In "Say no Evil" a woman has black marks under her eyes and swollen lips. She's ready to speak but she puts her finger on her mouth, silenced by fear. Another kisses her abuser thinking there is no way out. "Forbidden Fruit" represents the price one pays for the decisions one makes. In the center, a hand holds a pomegranate, the forbidden fruit a symbol of death and sinful pleasures. In "Peace of Music" life is represented as a symphony with high and low notes. Two people are united to each other with the strings of life, connected with the beat of their hearts.

Peace of Art global exhibit was first launched in Massachusetts, in September 2003 at the Armenian Library and Museum of America in Watertown, and since then it has been shown at the Joseph Driscoll Gallery at the Brockton Library, at the Doric Hall in the State House in Boston, Gallery Z in Providence RI, and Stoneham Public Library. From May 1st to June 30th, the exhibit will be held at Councilors Chambers, Boston City Hall, Government Center, Boston. In August the exhibit will be housed at Chelmsford Public Library. From July 5th to September 5th Peace of Art will be exhibited at the Arts for Peace Gallery at the International Student Center located at 38th West Street, New York, NY. For more information log onto to www.PeaceofArt.org, send e-mail to contact@PeaceofArt.org Peace of Art welcomes public comment.