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Ehren Tool served in the Persian Gulf war as a Marine military police officer, which changed him permanently. After coming back from the war (2001), he begins to create and distribute handmade ceramic cups. His stoneware cups start conversations about the grief and suffering of armed conflict in wartime. Some of the imagery he depicts on these cups are visually graphic, controversial, and not accepted due to the content of the imagery. His ever growing body of work has been displayed in several exhibits around the country, 200 of his cups making it into the permanent collection of the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington. But what he seeks is something beyond validation from the art world. He wants to start conversations with these bleak pieces. Tool states, " The coolest thing about the cups is not the cup, but the conversation around the cup, and i'm not there," He said. "If it means something to you, when you die it will mean something to someone close to you, and that's a cooler way to travel through time than being in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian." Art can be controversial and very thought provoking, spreading awareness to the viewer. It's a powerful tool and a healing mechanism. It can also be a seed of remembrance. Thoughts? Let me know what you think! -AG
2 Comments
Zach Rodriguez
5/13/2019 06:06:42 pm
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. I especially found it interesting how Ehren's main reason for creating these cups was not for the artist recognition but to create pieces that will live on through the interaction between it's viewers.
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Saachim
5/13/2019 06:18:16 pm
I personally feel that by doing these cups he is getting closure. Art is great therapy.
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AuthorAbstract Expressionist living in Lake Forest, CA. ArchivesCategories |