Emma Holland- Museum

In our class visit to the Palmer Museum of Art on Tuesday, I chose to sit and study Julie Heffernan's piece that is titled "Camp Bedlam". It is a part of Heffernan's collection of oil paintings called "When The Water Rises". Every painting follows this one theme, and I interpreted it as if each painting depicts the theme of what life would come to if our planet was fighting against us and water over took life as we know it. I really admire Heffernan's paintings as a group, for every one is so different yet so connected. The idea itself is very creative and meaningful. It has the opportunity to attract and influence a lot of people due to the originality and quality of the works. The location of the collection helps to present it successfully. It is in an isolated room, away from all other works, to show that it is it's own exhibit and that they are all connected. Also, I found it interesting that they put the exhibit upstairs, even if it was not on purpose, because it added to the story behind "When The Water Rises". It is art for the information hidden inside, for the beautiful color and layered shapes, for the story it tells without using words. These reasons are why I was so attracted to and affected by it, this piece much more than the others. Every time I look at it, I see something new and question myself on why I did not see it before. The scene illustrates a home that was built to be elevated above the water. It is a shelter made out of mattresses, rope, and other household things with the branches of trees offering support. There are dozens of people in the scene, whether they are playing cards, physically fighting, or trying to heal another individual who looks ill. I think a part of the message is that, in the painting, our world as we know it has been broken up by water, but the people continue on with what we know. Human nature is consistent and we carry on to do what we know regardless of what is going on around us. The change and danger in the world is symbolized by the broken televisions, old washing machines, and traffic cones that are shown throughout the scene. They are all pieces of how life used to be, but they are not essential to, shown through the human's survival and ability to carry on.