Self expression - Portraits invite viewers to recognize themselves in 'Faces of the Pov’
By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian
Take a long look. And don’t look away.
Their faces stare back with curious eyes, creased eyes, expression-filled eyes. They’re the eyes of your fellow human beings. They’re eyes that have seen hard times, better times, many years and not so many years.
“The Faces of the Pov” don’t ever look away, because they’re frozen in one immortal moment by photographer Cathrine L. Walters and painter Kimberly Anderson. And so, perhaps unlike your own experience with the Poverello Center clients, you can look as long as you want to or need to. You won’t ever feel the need to avert your own eyes. You don’t have to look away.
“I’m not homeless. I’ve got a camp (outside of town). I’ve been living in the camp for five years. I guess if you ask me how long I’ve been homeless, five years - but I’m not homeless.” Diana had come into the Poverello in January when this portrait was made to get in from the cold. But, she says, she prefers to be outside at her camp “with the squirrels and the trees.”
Diana, 66
“I hope that people, if they see the show, or see the portraits, will recognize that we all have some commonality,” said Anderson, who worked from Walters’ photographs to paint these 10 portraits of Pov clients. “We are all human beings and we all share a human spirit.”
The series of 10 pairs of black-and-white photographs and color paintings are meant to stir within us a more profound appreciation and respect for the trials of the men, women and families who find themselves at the Pov, for one reason or the other.
Spearheaded by Poverello director Ellie Hill, the “Faces” exhibit will be on display at the old 515 Restaurant, 515 S. Higgins Ave., through August.
Hill envisioned the show about a year ago. It is especially poignant in light of some recent criticism regarding the Pov’s interest in expanding its services at a drop-in center on the North Side.
“It is clear that many Missoulians have a downright negative perception of the homeless,” she said. “We wanted to do this event to provide a voice and a face the people we serve at the Poverello Center.”
Walters, a freelance photographer, learned each of her subject’s stories during a series of interviews conducted with Poverello employee Danielle Stricklin. Walters did so to make her subjects comfortable, and to learn herself about the plight of her fellow humans.
“I like to get to know who I’m photographing,” she said, “especially for a portrait.”
Stricklin’s text accompanies the works, giving viewers the stories and background of each of the Poverello subjects.
Through the artwork and the stories, you can learn a lot about some fellow Missoulians, ones you may not otherwise get to know.
“That’s the point of this show,” Walters said. “To get people to look them in the face.”
Take a long look. And don’t look away.
Reach Jamie Kelly at 523-5254 or at jkelly@missoulian.com.
