As Seen by Both Sides: American and Vietnamese Artists Look at the War

DAVID SMITH
Soon after graduating from high school, David Smith joined the Marines and shipped out to Vietnam. The war was for him a "first trauma" that he repeats "over and over again" in his work. Through his paintings he is trying to claim and reorder some of the chaos of that time.

"Chance was horribly and palpably real in Vietnam. My paintings contain violence, not that of napalm or white phosphorus or claymore mines, but the violence of helplessness in the face of chance. They are altarpieces and icons, although objects of contemplation, they historically contain the violence of crucifixion or martydom. The violence does not repel, so the viewer can contemplate and recognize my acts of memory. The viewer will know that I am his memory of the war, and that he must not forget me."
From an interview with Lois Tarlow
>

UNTITLED, egg tempura, gold and aluminum leaf, encaustic, and bole on Norcore, 8 1/4 x 26 inches, 1990
.
.
IAP Home Page • About the IAP • Artists • Exhibitions • Sister School Program
Back to the source • IAP Vietnam Trips • Hanoi Contemporary Arts Center
Favorite Links • Calendar of Events

.