Response to 9-11 'Freedom' Series Comes to Reynolds Gallery

A series of works created in the aftermath of Sept. 11 and titled “Freedom”
by Art Professor John Carlander will be exhibited May 17 through July 27 at Westmont's Reynolds Gallery.

Freedom may mean different things to different people, but after the attack on America on Sept. 11, 2001, we may cherish our ideas of freedom more than ever. For an artist to have the freedom to work is a great treasure, and I am thankful for that freedom.

“Other freedoms I treasure are the freedom to live in peace, the freedom to work for justice for all, the freedom to exercise our beliefs without interference from others, and the freedom to find beauty in shapes and colors.”

Carlander's latest paintings are bold slashes of color juxtaposed against a white background.

“This work is about color relationships and also about the expression of emotion. I have been asked whether or not these paintings have to do with the events of 9-11 and I believe that the answer is yes. They are not connected in a direct or representational way, but I believe that they are connected in an indirect, emotional and abstract way.”

Carlander has been a professor of art at Westmont since 1980. He specializes in drawing and painting as well as art history and aesthetics. This series of Carlander’s works was featured at Santa Barbara’s Neuvie gallery in February and March.

Reynolds Gallery is on Westmont's lower campus. Gallery hours during the show will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call the gallery at 565-6162.