HOMELESS OUT OF SEATTLE >>>
The memory part of my ageing brain fails to dredge up a clear picture of where I first saw Mary Larson's portraits of homeless people in Seattle. I think it was some documentary on telvision, or perhaps I walked into some gallery in the Emerald City not knowing what was showing and there they were. Wherever or however it was, those haunting images stuck with me.
They are pop-style portraits executed with bright colors, and every one is a straight-on portrait with the head practically filling the canvas and looking right at the viewer. Most of them look dignified and happy. Like people you'd really enjoy knowing.
What her paintings do for the people whose portraits they are is something that perhaps no one else could do in any other way. She shows them as what they are: people like any others. How often have we passed homeless people on the streets and seen them, if at all, as a class or group or concept and not as individuals who just might want to be acknowledged - who have parents and children and probably former friends and neighbors who more than likely no longer see them.
Larson's portraits of the homeless are now on display at the Pierce College Fine Arts Gallery, Steilacoom campus. This is the last week for the show. It closes Friday evening following a closing reception from 4 to 6 p.m.
Read Alec Clayton's full feature on Mary Larseon's paintings on the Weekly Volcano's blog Spew.
PIERCE COLLEGE FINE ARTS GALLERY, THROUGH FEB. 22, 9 A.M. TO 4 P.M., CLOSING RECEPTION FRIDAY 4-6 P.M.,
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