Faces of our Fathers Series I

Vision/Mission

This exhibit will feature oil paintings by artist, Narrie Toole. “Faces of Our Fathers” Series I is a group of twenty plus paintings, 36x60 each, of Native Americans who after research, reviewing stories and finding recorded images, were leaders, forward thinkers, contributed positive things to their people, displayed creative problem solving, and integrity. They are done close in, to focus on eyes, demeanor. With each painting having a short, powerful curation describing these qualities, they will be shown as a whole. Their image purpose is not so much on the individuals, as it is to remind what constitutes a successful life.

For myself, this journey I have begun is mystical. I am not Native American...but there are significant parallels between the Native Americans and the Irish. Looking into the past for answers, looking into faces from long ago...finding a way to reveal their inner spirit. I present these individuals as paintings and attempt to give pause and reflection on their basic sensibles.

 

Exhibit Storyline & Details

“Initially compelled by similarities, I painted „The Warrior‟...a famous image whose mouth and eyes looked so much like my Father‟s when he was considering something. Heavily weathered skin, his eyes no longer white due to scarring from the wind and sun through the dustbowl era. The strength to come West at 17, live in a dug-out, independent and self sustaining, was in this painting.

Animated conversations sprang up with professionals and friends about the piece. I did more research on Native American leaders finding myself overwhelmed with the power that they displayed as a group. Most had incredible people skills that are not well known. I had intense conversations about the concept with a close friend ...we explored why and how the project came to me, a non Native American – and why it was given as my responsibility to do. It became a deeply personal journey.

About this same time, I was reading Willa Cather‟s book “Death Comes For The Archbishop”. Context aside as to the fictional character, I interpreted the quote not as religious, but as more of a spiritual reflective statement about living our lives. It seems appropriate to include it here.

“The Miracles of the Church seem to me to rest not so much upon faces or voices or healing power coming suddenly near to us from afar off, but upon our perceptions being made finer, so that for a moment our eyes can see and our ears can hear what is about us always.”

Along with recorded information, threads of stories and my interpretation of recorded images, I hope to aid in “our perceptions becoming finer” –allow these basic concepts to come forward for our reflection and our use.”