The After-Effects of War Explored at Kean's Human Rights Institute Gallery

An artistic testament to recent history and those affected by conflict, Linda Bond's After-Effects: Beyond the Shadow of War, is on exhibit at Kean University's Human Rights Institute Gallery, located at 1000 Morris Avenue in Union, through December 20. Bond's featured collection, completed over more than a decade, addresses the violence of war from differing perspectives.

A reception with the artist will be held on Thursday, October 12, from 5-8 p.m. at the gallery, which is adjacent to Kean's Nancy Thompson Library. Admission to the exhibit and reception is free and open to the public.

"Despite our critical global situation, Bond sees the potential for peace. She believes that training women to be economic catalysts will help alleviate poverty and transform the conditions that lead to oppression, brutality and terrorism," said Neil Tetkowski, director of Kean Galleries.

One of the focal points of Bond's exhibition, One to One is a special project in collaboration with Afghan women that highlights the importance of educating women worldwide--especially in conflict areas--as a means of stabilizing and empowering communities. Currently installed in Kean's Human Rights Institute Gallery, the four house-like structures of One to One are filled and draped with embroidered bags, letters and drawings from the artists' Afghan partners. Woven gauze bandaging, shredded newspaper articles about women's struggles worldwide, and a video projection on chalk covered slate are also incorporated into the installation. Another shrouded blue structure, lit from within by hundreds of tiny lights, signifies women's untapped potential.

Other compelling works addressing issues of war and unrest are examined in a variety of forms. Detailed gunpowder and graphite fingerprint drawings on vintage gauze portray the faces of conflict. A Count is an artistic account of the military and civilian lives lost in the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Shadow War, a mixed-media series, documents drone strikes in Pakistan. More than 100 works installed in grid form fill an entire wall to represent a silent war. Other two-dimensional works and a related video turns attention to the Syrian refugee crisis and to the current American President's harsh words towards immigrants.

"After-Effects embodies the Human Rights Institute at Kean University's longstanding efforts to promote the awareness of human rights issues and violations across the globe, and reminds us that we each have an obligation to teach, to learn and most importantly, to act in the face of injustice," Tetkowski said.

Linda Bond's After-Effects: Beyond the Shadow of War
Now through December 20, 2017
Human Rights Institute Gallery
Kean University
1000 Morris Ave. Union, N.J.
Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.kean.edu/galleries, email galleries@kean.edu or call (908) 737-0392.

Linda Bond's After-Effects: Beyond the Shadow of War exhibition is on display at Kean University's Human Rights Institute Gallery in Union through December 20. The house-like structures of Bond's One to One (pictured left) are filled and draped with embroidered bags, letters and drawings from the artists' Afghan partners, as well as woven gauze bandaging and shredded newspaper articles about women's struggles worldwide. More than 100 works installed in grid form fill an entire wall (pictured right) to represent the silent war.

ABOUT KEAN UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1855, Kean University has become one of the largest metropolitan institutions of higher education in the region, with a richly diverse student, faculty and staff population. Kean continues to play a key role in the training of teachers and is a hub of educational, technological and cultural enrichment serving nearly 15,000 students. The University's five undergraduate colleges offer more than 50 undergraduate degrees over a full range of academic subjects. The Nathan Weiss Graduate College offers four doctoral degree programs and more than 60 options for graduate study leading to master's degrees, professional diplomas or certifications. With campuses in Union and Toms River, New Jersey, and Wenzhou, China, Kean University furthers its mission by providing an affordable and accessible world-class education. Visit www.kean.edu.

ABOUT KEAN UNIVERSITY GALLERIES
Kean University Galleries has a rich and diverse exhibition program that highlights cultural issues and are interdisciplinary in nature. These free, public programs are designed to educate and engage gallery visitors through the visual arts. Resulting dialogue further encourages visitors to think, share, question and collaborate. At Kean Galleries, we believe that art is an effective vehicle for building awareness of critical world issues and initiating social change.

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