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Art Show: Vietnam: Reflexes and Reflections

By John Zutz

A private showing of the art show "Vietnam: Reflexes and Reflections" was given by the Milwaukee Chapter of VVAW for their members and friends at the West Bend Gallery of Fine Arts on May 16th.

The multimedia collection of art by over 60 Vietnam vets includes artists from across the country, Australia, and captured NVA art. Each of the more than 300 pieces relates to the artist's Vietnam experiences. The show also features many slides and sound effects recorded in-country.

In the early '80's, Sondra Varco, a Chicago area art dealer, stumbled across some of the art. She couldn't get it shown, but kept finding more artists who had created Vietnam-related work and put it away into basements, attics, and garages since it wasn't done to sell—it was done for emotional release. They formed the Vietnam Veterans Art Group. Their first shows had 12 artists.

As the show traveled to New York City's Lincoln Center, to the House and Senate Rotundas in Washington DC, and down the East Coast, more artists joined the group.

About 40 VVAW embers and guests saw how the emotions of the Vietnam experience were transferred to wood, stone, canvas, and even neon. There was a 30 minute videotape, created by PBS, featuring interviews with the artists. Following the show, light refreshments were served while the finer aspects of the show were discussed.

The show was in West Bend from April 29 through May 31 with a special showing on Memorial Day. It topped the gallery's previous attendance record by more than 30%. Many of those attending were vets and their families; many were people who didn't normally pay any attention to veterans' affairs.

—John Zutz
Milwaukee VVAW