A special exhibit highlighting the invisible wounds of veterans with post-traumatic stress is set to open Saturday at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio.
Depicting The Invisible: A Portrait Series of Veterans Suffering From PTSD is a series of large-format, multimedia portraits and an award-winning documentary film short by artist Susan J. Barron.
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“Through her captivating portraits, Susan J. Barron challenges us to confront the invisible realities of individuals with PTSD,” said retired Army Gen. Lt. General Michael Ferriter, president and CEO of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.
Barron said she was inspired to create the art when she learned how many veterans die by suicide every day in the United States. The latest VA data shows that roughly 17 veterans die by suicide daily.
“As an artist, I wanted to shine a light on this epidemic of PTSD and suicide. I want to give these veterans a voice.”
The series is made up of 14 six-foot by six-foot works on canvas that were created through a combination of photographic imagery, paint and text, including the veterans’ stories.
Barron traveled the country for two years collecting veterans’ stories to bring awareness to PTSD. Each portrait sheds light on the individual’s invisible scars to showcase the experience of daily life with PTSD.
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The exhibit is being shown at the museum as part of its ongoing mission to share the veteran experience through their stories. It debuted at New York City’s HG Contemporary Gallery in November 2018.
A series of interactive events will also be held through June 17. To learn more, click here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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