Memorial in progress: Local gallery debuts art to mark third anniversary of 'Iraqi freedom'

Downtown Hendersonville's Touchstone Gallery is proudly announcing its debut venue showing of newly created art commenting on the US involvement in Iraq. At least four sculptures from The Memorial Project by Henry Mitchell of Greenville, SC, will be featured in the gallery's Main Street display window from mid-March through the first week of June to include the Iraq War's anniversary date and the traditional Memorial Day weekend. Mitchell commenced this long-term series last fall. His goal is to create a "memorial tree" for every 100 US soldiers lost in Iraq. Each memorial includes the names of the fallen. "I began and abandoned several projects as the war continued and grew. I didn't want to make a politicized statement," Mitchell says. "What I was striving for was not merely a declaration of protest, but a testament of mourning." The artist has put aside the traditional sculpting chisels and gouges he normally uses and has turned to power tools–commenting that "the violence of the technique [is a] metaphor for the violence of the times." "Nobody is shooting at me. I have no children in harm's way," Mitchell explains. "So I do what all artists do in troubled times. I work. My work is my prayer." Appearing alongside Mitchell's work, the first painting in a new series by Asheville-based Skip Rohde will be installed in the gallery's courtyard display window. Currently, this five-foot by five-foot oil on canvas remains untitled. Rohde will only comment that it focuses on the impact of war on the mother/son relationship and that his goal is to convey the emotions of mercy, pity and compassion. Touchstone Gallery is located at 318 North Main St. Gallery hours are Mon.-Sat., 10:30am-5pm, Sun., 1pm-5pm. Call (828) 692-2191 for more information.