Steve Mumford, an artist I know, has now made at least three trips to Iraq to document the war. He's very good at mixing with our troops, and more and more he's getting up close to some serious conflict. He's also very good at getting Iraqi's to share their experiences with him. The last time I saw him he looked thin and decidely older, but he's an impressive, courageous guy.
The lastest in his installments of text and accompanying watercolors is available here.
I liked the landscapes. Don't know why I prefer back-alley and NY tenement landscapes to purple mountain majesties or whatever, but I do. Saved to HD, in my rotation of 5000 as wallpaper. Thank you
Posted by: bob mcmanus | February 27, 2004 at 05:31 PM
Those are some evocative watercolors - compliments to your acquaintance friend, Edward. I once read some interesting stuff about the Civil War and photographs, analysis of some of the Matthew Brady & (John?) Sullivan prints which revolutionized war coverage.
It's interesting to see examples of reversal. We're so used to assuming war must be recorded photographically that to see it recorded in a slower, craft-based medium is a learning experience all in itself. Painting adds a human dimension that I'm not going to be able to describe adequately, except to say that I imagine showing his work to GIs and Iraqis probably allows Mr. Mumford access to thoughts & experiences these people would never reveal to a journalist.
Thanks, Ed.
Posted by: Jordan | February 29, 2004 at 01:30 PM