Artist, protesters clash over combat paintings

Bangor Daily News ^ | 2/7/05 | Walter Griffin

[BigKPM]

ROCKLAND - Free speech clashed with free expression on a downtown street corner Saturday as artists opposed to war protested the showing of combat paintings of Marine Sgt. Michael Fay at the Farnsworth Art Museum. Sgt. Fay stood ramrod straight when confronted by the small group of protesters upset with the Farnsworth for exhibiting his paintings of combat forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The afternoon sun reflected off the combat ribbons pinned to his green uniform, and the red chevrons on his sleeves glinted in the finish of his spit-shined shoes as Fay listened to his challengers.

Fay told the group he recognized their right to voice their opinion but reminded them that he had a right to express himself as well.

"I think it's great that we can have a passionate debate," Fay told the protesters. "I am not a spokesman for the war. But am I proud to be a Marine? You bet."

About a half-dozen artists carried signs and stood vigil outside the Farnsworth as the show "Fire and Ice: Marine Corps Combat Art from Afghanistan and Iraq" was previewed for museum members. Fay's paintings show soldiers carrying out their daily duties while serving on hostile ground.

Fay's paintings and drawings do not depict war, but there is no doubt as to their nature. They are set in a combat zone and include images of tanks, bombs, planes, ambulances and rifle-carrying soldiers.

The protesters objected to the show's content and what they claimed was the museum's "implicit support of war." They said a more balanced show would include images of civilian deaths and mass destruction. To represent one facet of military life in combat zones without placing it in the context of the true costs of war displayed a lack of sensitivity, they said.

"We are fighting an illegal and immoral war," Suzanne Hedrick, 73, of Nobleboro told Fay. "Without another viewpoint, without the faces of the victims and the ruining of the country, I'm deeply concerned."

In the catalog to the show, museum director Christopher Crossman compared the subject matter of Fay's work with that of Winslow Homer when he worked as an artist-journalist covering the Civil War for Harper's Weekly. Although Homer observed numerous battles, it was his paintings of everyday military encampments that were of great interest, said Crossman.

"Fay puts a human face to war," noted Crossman. "For the most part, his work consists of portraits of fellow Marines whose feelings and individuality can be read in their eyes and even in the wear and tear of their uniforms."

Crossman noted that Fay "serendipitously" stopped by the museum a few months ago to introduce his work. He said he later discovered that few of his colleagues in the museum world were aware that combat artists were still active.

The show was organized by Farnsworth curator of exhibitions Helen Ashton Fisher and Charles G. Grow, curator of the Marine Corps Combat Art Collection. It was made possible by the support of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

The Marine Corps Combat Art Program was adopted in World War I. Using artists, war correspondents and photographers the program continued through each of the country's conflicts. Since the war in Vietnam, the collection has grown to include approximately 7,500 works by more than 350 artists. Over the years they have documented Marines in combat zones across the globe.

Fay spent two years in the Afghanistan and Iraq war zones, armed only with a pistol, camera and sketch bag. Some of his work was done in the field, other pieces created in his studio from images he brought home. Fay retired from the Marines in 2000, "but 9-11 changed everything," he said. Fay, who lives in the Washington area, joined a Reserve unit and was posted to the combat zones.

"These in no way, shape or form glorify war," said Fay. "It has nothing to do with anybody ever pulling a trigger. I'm an artist; we do art."

While critical of his subject matter, the protesters also were upset that Fay came to the show in full-dress uniform. They said it indicated that he was on official business and promoting war.

"The fact that he would come not dressed as an artist, but as a Marine is an affront," said Natasha Mayers of Whitefield. "I'm for real expression that's not paid for. This guy is paid for, he's been a Marine all his life, and this is a military point of view. The day-to-day part of war, which we can't imagine, is what we need to see. We need to see images that tell us the truth."

When asked his reaction to the protest, Fay said that he believed "most servicepeople would say, 'That's why we do what we do.' People have that right to express themselves in this country and I support that. Most are very pleasant, but some are mean-spirited and aggressive."

The show runs through March 27.

[BigKPM]

Living here in the NYC metropolitan area, I remember very well the hubub over a Brooklyn museum displaying "art" depicting a crucifix in urine.

I guess, in the eyes of free speech advocates, that's protected, while this is not.

Very sad.

Another case of liberal tolerance. We will tolerate all of your opinions as long as we also hold them.

[muawiyah]

Knowing that Hedrick is one of the more popular spellings of a far more famous Nazi name from WWII that some people pick to hide their relationship with the guy, I'm not surprised to find this ol'gal out there protesting an American Marine exhibiting his art.

She should go back in hiding.

[Zacs Mom]

Cassic! Absolutely classic!

[Vor Lady]

"The fact that he would come not dressed as an artist, but as a Marine is an affront," said Natasha Mayers of Whitefield. "I'm for real expression that's not paid for. This guy is paid for, he's been a Marine all his life, and this is a military point of view. The day-to-day part of war, which we can't imagine, is what we need to see. We need to see images that tell us the truth."

These people are all for the government paying for trash by Robert Maplethorpe, but object to the government paying for this? HYPOCRITES!

[Sabatier]

--"The fact that he would come not dressed as an artist, but as a Marine is an affront," said Natasha Mayers of Whitefield. "I'm for real expression that's not paid for. This guy is paid for, he's been a Marine all his life, and this is a military point of view. The day-to-day part of war, which we can't imagine, is what we need to see. We need to see images that tell us the truth."--


Let's see now. Where to begin? Nah, never mind. No point in wasting time arguing with this mentality. As if most art wasn't paid for. As if museums weren't filled with art that was commissioned at some point. As if all those portraits and landscapes that hang in museums were done for free.


Nope, rather, give credit to the museum curator for having the guts to put on this show. Hopefully this artist will get some recognition from this "controversy" and his work will sell. All this free publicity will work to his benefit.

[Maceman]

"The fact that he would come not dressed as an artist, but as a Marine is an affront," said Natasha Mayers of Whitefield.

What, now artists have a dress code? If he came dressed as a giant condom, would that make it art?

"I'm for real expression that's not paid for.

That's exactly what I say whenever I see an "artist" whose work is paid for with taxpayer money. I'm glad this individual agrees with me that we need to immediately cease public funding of the arts.

[Imaverygooddriver]

I from NYC too. Remember that? How about the one painting of the Virgin Mary smeared with elephant dung?

[Noachian]

Another case of a Marine who has put himself in harm's way to protect the "right" of liberal wussies to defame him.

[Texican72]

We ALL know that if this art gallery had a show of only anti-war art, these same people would be there protesting the lack of balance.

[marty60]

Fascists

[nothingnew]

...images of tanks, bombs, planes, ambulances and rifle-carrying soldiers.... OH MY!!

FMCDH(BITS)

[BigKPM]

You make an excellent point. I think it's time to donate to this museum to encourage similar showings.

[trebb]

They said a more balanced show would include images of civilian deaths and mass destruction.

Once again, let's use their own "logic" against them. If the above is to believed, then any gay-themed "art" should also be balanced by depicting the wasting death of AIDS, the festering STDs, and the poor children that suffer at the hands of homosexual pedophiles.

[elfman2]

"Very sad. "

As usual, this protest backfired. Lots of stories on this artist now. Here’s what I could find of his work.

Marine Staff Sargeant Michael Fay, a reservist from Fredericksburg, VA, holds the distinction of being the only combat artist currently serving in the Marine Corps. Recently returned from Iraq, he continues a tradition of combat art that dates back to ancient times. Fay earned an undergraduate degree in Art Education from Penn State University and works at the Combat Art Museum when not on active duty. This small selection of paintings and drawings made in Afghanistan and Iraq documents aspects of war in a very personal and immediate way. The exhibition runs concurrent with the Camden Conference, The Middle East: Compromise or Conflagration?, February 25-27. For more information on the conference, see www.camdenconference.org

Staff Sgt. Michael Fay's work includes depictions of some of the quieter moments in military duty. Above is his painting of Marines setting trip flares that will warn them of intruders.

Marine Staff Sgt. Michael Fay, a combat artist, is heading to Iraq.

Above is Fay's pencil drawing of a Marine returning from a nine-day patrol in Afghanistan last year.

More written here.

[Feckless]

he's been a Marine all his life, and this is a military point of view

And you've been a scum sucking, America hating commie douchbag all your life, and yours is a scum sucking, America hating commie douchbag's point of view.

[elfman2]

Sorry for the broken link. More written here.

[Pharlap]

Those who protested came not as artists but as antiwar demonstrators, while the marine came as an artist. Let those who would disagree with the marine's art present their own works as an alternative. By not doing so, and by protesting the marine's right to display his art, they reduce themselves to merely rabble rousing dissenters.

[Uncle Vlad]

And don't forget the fact that the Marines, as well as the other branches of the military, guarantee these intolerant morons the right to be intolerant morons. This is something they should all bear in mind before they make up their little signs and take to the streets.

[cake_crumb]

Leftists=fascists. Freedom of speech is for them, not for lesser life forms like the bulk of humanity

[WorkingClassFilth]

"The fact that he would come not dressed as an artist, but as a Marine is an affront..."

That reminds me of a joke.

A dishevelled and rumpled woman walks into a bar. Looking at her tangled hair and unkempt appearance, the bartender asks: 'Did you get dressed in the dark this morning, or are you an artist?'

Other than that, this article is not a joke.

Combat artists are terrific people. Not only do they go into the caldron of combat and serve as any other troop, they are forced to observe and memorize the details with an artist's razor sharp clarity.

The hypocritical protestors and the purile purveyors of pop-culture sh*t should get down on the floor and lick the Marines boots for the priviledge he affords them to pander their excrement in a free society. In Saddams Iraq, they'd either service his sodomite troops or be slime on the bottom of his acid vats.