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Artist Stephen March thinks of himself more as an observer of life, but in so doing, it is nearly impossible for him to not make a powerful statement.
March is not one to paint flowers and trees and birds. His subjects are far more compelling. They are victims who died tragically in the attacks of 9/11. They are young soldiers taken in the prime of life from battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are ancient tribes who still fight for their beliefs.
"I don't try to tell anyone what to think. I want them to come to their own conclusions," says March, 65, of Spring Grove, who has been painting all his life.
His work will be exhibited at Harrisburg Area Community College's Lancaster Campus this weekend in an exhibit he calls "From the Shadows." It is actually a compilation of three series that March has done in recent years.
"When I saw his work at Keystone gallery in Lancaster, I was so moved. I knew I wanted to have him exhibit here at HACC," says Judith Johnson, art show coordinator.
One of the most striking aspects of March's work is his versatility. At first glance, you might not even think the works were by same artist. As he explains, when he begins a series, he looks at the subject fresh and anew. He contemplates what medium to use to express his subjects. That connects each piece in each series, and sets each series apart from what he has done in the past, or may do in the future.
March's "Victim" series are portraits based on the very real photographs of victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. March used the snapshots provided by family members and posted on walls and web sites to memorialize the victims.
When it came to the medium, he instinctively turned to a rather unusual material. Perhaps thinking of "ashes to ashes, dust to dust," he used coal ashes in different colors and tones to evoke the terrible cloud over New York and the entire world on that painful day. Mixed with acrylic gel, the ashes lend a mournful significance to his portraits.
"I remind people that I did not use human ashes. They are ashes from my coal stove," he says.
Even more meaningful, the faces of the victims are not sad. They are faces filled with happiness, hope and life. Yet the very realness of them makes the images all the more poignant, almost ghostlike in a haze of grief.
Similarly, his "Heroes" series is based on real photographs of soldiers from Pennsylvania who died during the "War on Terrorism." Even though they are based on real men and women, there is a vague, almost universal quality. The portrait of "Martin" might be any young father, husband, son, daughter, mother or wife.
"They are representative, even though they are based on real people," says March.
He uses a painting technique with monotone acrylics offset by the striking red-white-and-blue flags of the soldiers' official military portraits.
"These works examine the idea of sacrificing a life for a country," says March. "Will they be remembered for what they died for?"
Taking a completely different tack, March's "Tribes" was prompted by a desire to visually explore groups of people with different or opposing interests, beliefs and agendas existing in conflict. The works consist of two or more rectangular panels, and involve surfaces of natural and manufactured materials including soil, cowhide, sheepskin and carpet, in addition to traditional acrylic paint and media.
They are rich with color, from deep reds and vibrant oranges to cool blues and violets. It's proof that March has unique mastery over many varied techniques and compositions.
"Through the years, Stephen March has addressed contemporary political, social and spiritual issues and events," says Johnson, adding that his ability to create thought-provoking art made her want to share it with HACC students and the community as a whole.
A native of York County, March received his bachelor's degree in fine art from Penn State University and his master's degree in fine art and painting from the Rhode Island School of Design. He is the upper-school art instructor at York Country Day School.
Over the years, his work has been exhibited and honored at many galleries, museums and shows including 55 Mercer Gallery in New York City, York College of Pennsylvania, Resurgam Gallery in Baltimore, The Chautauqua (N.Y.) National Exhibition of American Art, Penn State University, The State Museum in Harrisburg and Yorkfest National Juried Exhibition.
"From the Shadows"
works by Stephen March
Opens Tues. Cont. through Oct. 2
Artist reception, Sept. 10, 4-6 p.m.
Reg. hours: Mon.-Fri. noon-3 p.m.
Thurs. 5-7 p.m. Free.
The Art Space
East Building, Room 203
Harrisburg Area
Community College
1641 Old Philadelphia Pike, 358-2201
(245)
