Tina Bevan
My desire in this piece was to express the joy found through the wondrous healing power of music. I chose to surround the musicians with harmonious, swirling color… bringing forth a cacophony of emotion… reminiscent of a carnival. I envisioned the music bringing these special souls together in a delightfully connected way. This piece was created by initially using pastels, and then by adding in a few digital flourishes. There may be darkness, but it is up to each of us to find the light in the well.
David Fallon
David Fallon is a multimedia artist based in the Twin Cities. He has a neurological condition called Synesthesia. Synesthesia allows him to hear color in music. With an elegantly colorful aesthetic, his work reflects the dynamic relationships between color and sound. In his work he emphasizes the freedom that comes from learning to embrace and love ourselves exactly as we are.
David began studying visual art and music at age 10, later earning a BFA in visual art from Loyola University, LA. He is the recipient of a McKnight Foundation grant, and his art has been exhibited from London to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. In 2022 he will be commencing a year-long study of the relationships between music and color, while challenging people to reconsider how they think about disabilities.
Elisa Berry Fonseca
Elisa Berry Fonseca is an artist and an educator.
As a visual artist, Elisa creates large-scale immersive installations that playfully facilitate an encounter with nature, from which we are so often estranged. Having spent several years primarily invested in the “art” of raising two children, Elisa is currently working to cultivate communities in which All People gather to experience an encounter with the presence of God.
Elisa graduated with a BA from Macalester College, an MFA in Sculpture from the University of Minnesota and an MA in Religion and Art from Yale University. She has taught studio art and art history at the University of Minnesota, the Blake School, the University of Saint Thomas, Pratt Institute, and Pfeiffer University. Her work has been showcased across the U.S. and at the Beijing film academy. She has received grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, the Arts and Science Council of Charlotte, NC, and the Louisville Institute.
Artwork description
The vast majority of every well is underground, plunging hundreds of feet below ground. This painting depicts not only the part of the well that is visible above ground, but also the dark depths that remain unseen. I chose a highly vertical composition to emphasize how deep our emotions, especially our grief, can go. The image of a “light in the well” is an image of a light shining in those hidden depths. The light in the well is a small, insignificant light, unseen and seemingly disconnected from the events visible above ground. And yet, this small light is powerful, just like the unexpected ray of hope we often feel in the midst of grief and devastating emotions. Any diagram of a cross-section of a well shows that a well’s water is connected to another stream of water, a source of water deep underground. In this painting I allude to that hidden source of water, one more reminder that no matter how low our pain, there is a source of hope and love that goes even lower in order to find us there.
Carolyn Kester
This set of portraits began as digital manipulation of the photos Wu had sent me way back at the inception of this project. Learning their stories and seeing their faces, I tried to infuse each one with elements of their personalities. For Ferol, rays reminiscent of light beams shining her joy; Beth, bubbles like her unexpected abilities valiantly rising. James got puzzle pieces– a recognized symbol for the complexity of the autism spectrum– as well as his beloved piano. And for Nathan the showman, what could I do besides put him onstage, his face in shining stars? I hope the strong lines and high contrast style give the subjects of these portraits a sense of empowerment.
Liv Peterson
When Wu invited me to be involved in this project, I jumped at the chance! I love doing portraits, but I don’t usually work from photographs, so I liked that challenge. Before starting each composition, I listened to the music samples Wu provided for me. The samples corresponded to each of the individual people who are celebrated in this concert. Each piece of music was so distinctly different! It was a great way for me to start to get a feel for each individual. I started to write down words and images that came to me for each piece of music. Just listening to the music, I felt I had met each person and had a sense of who they are. From there I started to conceptualize how to organize each composition. I was able to visualize images and colors inspired by the music. The whole time I was painting, I was picturing each person seeing the work, and I was hoping they would feel I got it right!
Flora Sida Sebit
Hi! My name is Flora Sida Sebit. I love to paint, sew, garden, and dance. My favorite music is afrobeat for workout. I was born in Africa and came to the USA in 2019. I would like to help orphan children. I am an orphan too but not anymore.
