DECEMBER 4, 2021 - JANUARY 8, 2022
“The Art of Peace” is a collective of five Austin figurative artists including J. C. Amorrortu, Lawrence Jolly, Meena Matocha, Rhea Pettit, and Linda Wandt. Though the artists may have different styles (loose, alla prima to detailed realism), they do hold the desire to share a story through their art in common. They believe that this style of visual storytelling can mend a broken society and serve as olive branches extended to one another in peace.
J.C. AMARRORTU
"The word peace encompasses so many things. As a visual artist, I create to evolve as a human being, raise consciousness, and find my inner peace. As part of the whole collective of this planet, I strongly believe we must do and follow our path in order to contribute positively to the collective consciousness. The more people who pursue their true passions, the better a place the world will be for us, for future generations, and all living creatures who inhabit this beautiful home we call Earth. In my work, I always try to tell a story, encouraging the viewer to think past the superficial image. Art is a super powerful tool to reach vast amounts of people. I dive into various styles depending on what my spirit tells me. I want you to consider and question what you see." —J.C.
RHEA PETTIT
"We are all connected... to each other, to other species, and to the earth. If we focus on our similarities rather than our differences, we find compassion. My works concentrate on bodies in nature; most subjects are human, some are other animals. Other species are deeply connected with nature; if humans also truly connect with the natural world, perhaps we will value our planet and her residents enough to save her. That, to me, is peace on earth." —Rhea
MEENA MATOCHA
"This current body of work seeks to bring attention to the beauty of this life, to cause the viewer to pause and notice the glory and tragedy in all people around us, and to remember one another's humanity and dignity. My desire is to bring into a broken and beautiful world, art that is restorative, that helps us remember the good things we have forgotten." —Meena
LINDA WANDT
"A great deal of my work focuses on the concept of connection, revealing repeating patterns in nature and in our minds. Peace begins within each individual, in the reflection and self-awareness needed to confront and heal from the wounds life can offer. This awareness takes courage and dedication. It starts with the compassion for others, and for ourselves— that comes from truly understanding that we are all the same, a repeating pattern in nature." —Linda
LAWRENCE JOLLY
"We are a people increasingly identified by what makes us different, rather than celebrated by what makes us whole. As artists, we have come together to explore that which unifies us beyond our icons of racial, political, sociological, sports, or national identity: our shared humanity. In it we experience both the poverty of our collective beings and the presence of the divine in our souls. E pluribus unum (Out of many, one)." —Lawrence