I would appreciate any feedback or comments you have on the photos, descriptions, website, or the topic in general - positive or negative. As I have time, I'll compile and display them here. If you don't mind, please include your name and location. If you'd prefer to remain anonymous, then please state that and I'll just use initials, first name only, or just 'annonymous.'.
To send comments, click here: craig_spaulding@adelphia.net
Thanks!
Craig
View Comments from:
back to photo exhibit
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Comments from the Web ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
" I did not realize before, what I saw in your work. I had thought that there was only war, pain, anger. I was partly right, but not all. There was a beauty to what I saw in your pictures, and I want to thank you for sharing the beauty of Iraq and the people who call it their home." --Hannah Miller, Washington, NC
"These are wonderful. I feel honored that you've
shared them with us."
"You've put a ripple in the pond, Craig" --Mona, Washington,
NC
"Thanks for sharing Craig, I enjoyed them and now feel more enlightened. :-)" --M. Cossey
"EXCELLENT!!! Great work, Craig. I hope it gets broad usage. Black & White is the most appropriate medium, to be sure. The stark visual black & white ironically humanizes the extraordinary picture, effectively exposing the lie of our leader's version of the scene as black & white/good Vs evil, devoid of humans. Thanks so much for your efforts and for this expression, which should touch minds and hearts otherwise beyond the reach of words." --John Worrell, MA
"Craig, your work is truly beautiful--Howard must have been quite proud to have seen what his lenses initially opened up for you. This must have been an amazing experience, in many ways" --Lewis Rasmussen, PSI-International Peace & Justice Center
"What incredibly wonderful photos! Bravo! Excellent
work!" --Linda Laz
"Having just returned from the peace demonstration
in Washington, DC on March 15th, it is difficult to articulate my emotions
upon viewing your photographs and reading the accompanying text. Thank
you for sharing this personal and very human view of Iraq. I am truly
awed by your sensitivity and ability to present the reality of the effects
of both sanctions and war on Iraq." --Amy Prentiss, Buffalo,
New York
"Blessings on your work. The photos are eloquent. May hearts and minds be turned to the good and the common bond we all share." --Carolyn Yoder, Harrsionburg, VA
"Thank you for sharing the photos. I really wish you had been able to get the names of all the people you photographed. For me, naming people also adds dignity and changes people from "art" into human beings. I will pass your website address on to the Interfaith Forum in Solo. People of all religions who belong to that group are looking for real Iraqi people to pray for in this time of war." --Jeanne Zimmerly Jantzi, Salatiga, Central Java, Indonesia
"Many thanks for sharing your lovely work. Words are not needed. The pictures tell the story. Definitely a talent all are not gifted with." --D. Thompkins
"The photographic exhibit by Craig Spaulding is wonderful and so moving. Thanks. I'll tell friends about this." --Ellen Jaffee [poet, fiction writer, and playwright - comment via PeaceVox.com]
"I am writing to you from the Life and Peace Institute, an international, ecumenical peace research and action institute, based in Uppsala, Sweden. You might have run into us at some point. We have had a lot of collaboration around Horn of Africa with John Paul Lederach. Your photos are great. I wonder if it would be possible to let us publish one or two in our journal New Routes." --Tore Samuelsson
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Comments from Oasis Gallery Show ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I saw your show this evening. I'm very pleased with the exhibit---the photos and quality of presentation. Great job. We are already getting comments." --Karen Lee, Oasis Gallery, Harrsionburg, VA
"This is a powerful and deeply moving show. As the war continues and intensifies, I see some of the faces you represented there in the gallery as I hear the news. What an important, humanizing show." --Scott Jost, art faculty, Eastern Mennonite University.
"Beautiful. Startling. Real. Music is real - thank you for the story of singing 'We shall Overcome'" --SG
"Thanks for going to Iraq. Thanks for taking the photos and thanks for sharing them" --Nancy
"Your peace is your perspective...beautiful idea...however I lived in Iran for 2 years and can show you the same people. Where are the photos of damage done by the Iranian guns to Iraq? Where are the photos of Kurdish dead by chemical weapons? There are hundreds of Kurds in the this town without your money who can explain to you why we (USA) must be there. (They have photos and videos as well...ask them.) --Anonymous
"It's horrible what's going on there. Those selfless mothers and their children having no idea what it's like to be fed at least 3 meals a day like us. This must've been an amazing experience for you and the others, depressing maybe. I never knew half the stats that you have under those pictures. It tears my heart apart knowing those unfortunate ones who went through the Gulf War are now getting the same devastation to their community and it is again by us 'greedy Americans.' Black : white is the only true photo that could portray these images. One day they'll be free and healthy like us - at least we can hope. Thanks for your display and opening up my eyes." --Meridith Trapp, 17
"Photography with a conscience - FINALLY!" --Anonymous
"Thought-provoking and sensitively done. Thank You!" --Anonymous
"You photos are amazing. I think it is very true when you say they can speak for themselves. Thanks you so much for sharing your powerful experiences in Iraq through your art." --Anonymous
"You photos are powerful... We don't have a television so I've not seen many images of Iraq or the Iraqi people. I will hold the images of your photos in my mind and heart as I weep & pray." --Rhonda Miller
"How wonderful that your work is shown in this time/town. When most of the country listens only to mainstream media these photos & descriptions should open up eyes & hearts. Thanks you." --Kimberly Hathaway
"The photos are good. The comments are ridiculous. One trip (sorry maybe more) and you an American of the Shenandoah Valley have more perspective and a more objective view than our leaders and/or God. Seeing these photos make war with Iraq seem a small price to pay for the freedom of this people. Your objectivity disgusts me. The next time you drive, feel ashamed. The next and every time you have 3 meals a day feel ashamed. You, Craig Spaulding, have no idea and if you achieve one it is by the grace [of] God who is the only [one] to understand these events." --Anonymous
"I greatly appreciate your visit to see and be with Iraq and Iraqi people. The pictures have a good artistic quality and the explanatory comments add tremendous power to the photos. I know that you are a person of faith - so am I - and you bring your faith/moral perspective into some of your comments. I support that for use in a faith community. Outside of the faith community, I wonder if the photos/comments would be more powerful with less more interpretation/evaluation. May there by peace." --Sam Johnson
"Thanks! Excellent exhibit! Thank you for being persistent with Oasis. Many people came to see the show who might not have seen it elsewhere. It caused some controversy which was good. I did wonder if those of not our persuasion could have taken in more of the truth of the photos if there were no captions or more just 'factual' info." --Eliza Hoover
"Good job! Barbara and I drove down from Annandale on this beautiful day, always thinking of the tragedy unfolding in Iraq. History will not be kind to us for what we are doing. Bless you." --John Johns
"Thanks you very much for your trip to Iraq and for the images you brought back. All America should see them. God bless you" --Barbara Johns
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Comments from Eastern Mennonite University ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Thank You! I attended the Peace Poetry reading last night and felt called to come and see your exhibit. I am grateful for the images - the humanity you provide us with rather than mere words - I was particularly touched by your Peaceniks photo. I leave the exhibit wishing to see more - thanks for telling the story." --Sandy Kay
"It sounds like your blaming the U.S. for Iraq's problems. Have forgotten 9-11?" Anonymous
"Your Mother & Child pictures are beautiful." --Anonymous
"I have to admit I am quite naive when it comes to the whereabouts of the world. Besides the art, I enjoyed the information. It's someone's truth and that is important to me. My favorite photo is Peaceniks." --E. Joy Wentorf
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Comments from Others ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I think you are doing a great service in the interests of peace and understanding across these political and national lines. Your pictures are wonderful and your comments touching, thoughtful and informative." --David Kreider, KreiderArt Galleries, Harrsionburg, VA
"About 'The Farm' - the Marsh arabs who were brutally removed from the land and replaced with other peoples would also disagree with the idea that this is progress. sorting out the mess created by Hussein's brutal policies is going to be a nightmare. It would streghtne your show if you acknowledged these realties of Hussein's oppression.." --Jane Docherty, Conflict Transformation Program, Eastern Mennonite University
"Very touching and sad. I was glad to see the photo of the "song of Peace" - it inspires us of hope as we see it in the gleem of his eyes." --Dan Miller, Goshen, IN