The Graffiti of War Project
Exhibits of The Graffiti of War
Conflict Art
What is Conflict Art? This sub-genre is any type of graffiti, painting and marking on any unconventional surface located in conflict zones. The Graffiti of War Project has been collecting and documenting this art for over 18 months through individual submissions through our website, Facebook page and through our recent expedition which took us to Kuwait and Iraq. Our focus is to capture images of this art before it is lost in the ever-changing environments that are active combat zones.
This Conflict Art provides a unique glimpse into the emotions of war giving civilians far removed from the horrors of war an inside and individual perspective of combat. Never before has such a collection of amazing and incredible existed in one place. We have thousands of images of art, many of which no longer exist physically on this planet due to destruction, elements or by other means. We are committed to saving these images for future generations to contemplate and study. 
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Conflict Art on Display
Graffiti Canvas
During our opening show, with the help of one of our sponsors, Kelly Line, Inc., we developed a new type of medium for our exhibit, what we call Graffiti Canvas.
This canvas looks remarkably like concrete, in fact, we received dozens of comments and some of the guests of our show thought we brought these murals, on concrete, back from Iraq and Afghanistan. If we used a different, more mainstream medium for showcasing this art, much of the appeal would have been lost. Because these pieces look so much like the original work done overseas in combat zones, it provides for an amazing show. |
For more images from the Pennsylvania show as well as others, please email info@graffitiofwar.com.
Artists of The Graffiti of War
Jason Nicholson
Jason Nicholson is an aspiring military artist from Pennsylvania whose work captures military engagements and brings them to life on canvas. Currently Jason is involved with the Navy SEAL community and works with families of fallen SEALs to forever embed their sacrifice through his work. Nicholson currently has work featured in the UDT/SEAL museum and the SEAL Heritage Community Center. For more information you can contact Jason Nicholson on Facebook or visit his website at www.JasonNicholsonArt.com
Matthew Burmeister Click to Order Print
Served in the U.S. Navy from 2005 to 2009. During that time, Matt was stationed onboard the USS Iwo Jima LHD-7. Working down in the engine rooms as a Machinist Mate (Snipe) operating its high-pressure boilers and steam turbines. Matt served two deployments in the Persian Gulf conducting maritime operations and supporting both the 24th & 26th Marine Expeditionary Units.
Art has always played a great role in Matt's life but never as a means of personal gain, only the satisfaction of using his talent for the greater good. His inspiration comes from the enjoyment his work brings to others, this being the sole motivator in what he does. He currently resides in Michigan, with his wife Alycia and their daughter Elizabeth, working as a power plant operator in downtown Grand Rapids. Matt is creating a piece specifically to commemorate the Graffiti of War Project which we will unveil during the Exhibition in Pennsylvania. For more information on Matt or how to request a custom art creation, email us. Bryan McGhee
Bryan McGhee, originally from Los Angeles, CA, he spent 27 years serving our Nation in the US Army, retiring in 2010 as the Brigade Command Sergeant Major. Bryan started painting over 14 years ago after seeing a Bob Sneed Buffalo Soldier rendition. This resulted in his first painting, depicting a Buffalo Soldier which won the US Army art competition and is now on permanent display in the Museum of the Non-Commissioned Officer at Fort Bliss, TX.
Since then, Bryan has created many paintings, most of them were given to his soldiers as gifts when they changed duty stations. The only original he has left is the painting called "Frontier Focus". In addition to his talents as a painter, he is also an accomplished drummer and has played in numerous bands throughout the US and Europe. Bryan comes from an artistic family, his uncle is the late Bob West who wrote the hit "I'll Be There" for the Jackson 5. One of the highlights of his career came when he had the awesome privilege of playing for the Temptations on their European tour. We are honored to feature the prints and original work of CSM (ret.) Bryan McGhee. For more information on CSM (ret.) McGhee and how to pre-order his prints or commission a custom piece, please email, artists@graffitiofwar.com. Click HERE for Jeff Stephens Custom Art & Design
More Artists Added YearlyInterested in Being a Part of the Exhibit?
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Zoriah Click to Pre-Order Signed Prints
Zoriah, a critically acclaimed photographer with over 14 years of experience shooting conflict, crisis and disasters in developing countries. Winner of the VII Portfolio Contest, the Morepraxis Photogournalist of The Year Award and included in World Picture News' Most Powerful Imagery, Zoriah's photography has been praised by critics since receiving a coveted spot on the Songs of The People tour in 1992. Zoriah's work appears in publications such as Newsweek, The New York Times, BBC News, The United Nations, CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, NPR, Focus, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Grands Reportage, The Guardian and many others across the globe. For more information on Zoriah, visit www.Zoriah.com.
Nelson Pantoja
Nelson Ulysses Pantoja was born in 1963 in the Bronx of Puerto Rican descent. His father was a Vietnam veteran and he witnessed firsthand the struggles of the war on the face and actions of his dad. His mother was sick most of his life, she lost one lung to Tuberculosis, had breast cancer surgery, but remains in his eyes, the bionic woman. It was through these hardships, Nelson became the amazing artist he is today. For more information on Nelson's art and his incredible talent visit his website, www.ToothpickArtist.com or send him an email at toothpickartist@gmail.com.
Jessica Dittbenner
Jessica
Dittbenner was born in Kansas City, MO, and grew up in Lenexa, KS. She
is the daughter of Steve and Lynn Dittbenner, two graphic artists from Kansas
City. Jessica has served in the US military for 13 years, deployed to Iraq
three times while serving in the Air Force in 2004 and 2005, and two times in
the
Army in 2007 and 2008. She spent time in Baghdad, Balad, and Mosul, Iraq during
her deployments. Then spent time in Afghanistan working as a contractor in
2011.
Currently she is assigned to the 1st Attack and Reconnaissance Battalion in the
Missouri Army National Guard and is planning to become an Apache Longbow Pilot.
Mahmood Hussein
Our first local national artist, Mr. Hussein currently resides in Iraq. Much of the background and location of Mr. Hussein cannot be made public for OPSEC reasons (send request to doc@graffitiofwar.com for specific information on Mahmood's backgroud, subject to restrictions). Mr. Hussein has an astonishing story of how, under the Saddam regime, he was imprisoned because of his artistic rendition of the chemical killings he witnessed in Kurdistan. We are working with Mr. Hussein to showcase his art and help him earn a living again through orders of his art To order prints of hiswork email, doc@graffitiofwar.com.
Austin Tomasu
Austin was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and attended school over and joined the Marine Corps as an Infantry Rifleman after graduating in 2007. After completing 2 MEUs (Marine Expeditionary Units) from the period of 2008-2009, visiting such countries as Thailand, Philippines, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, and Okinawa Austin deployed to Afghanistan with 3/5 Lima Co. on September of 2010. After returning in April 2011, Austin was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in June of 2011.
Coming from a large family, Austin is the 3rd oldest out of 8 boys. Austin started drawing at an early age, copying his older brothers who were very influential to him. In his spare time he liked to draw, read, body-board, spearfish, and basically everything that concerns a beach. Not the best student, Austin decided to join the Marine Corps partly out of patriotism partly because he didn’t know what to do with his life. At present, Austin lives in Hawaii and works as a Cable Installation technician for Interlink Communications LLC. 
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- Disclaimer -
The Graffiti of War Project remains apolitical, however, we will NEVER censor the artists and their creativity. Their opinions and beliefs are just that, theirs. They might or might not represent the beliefs of one or all of the members of the Graffiti of War team, but we hold our own beliefs close to our hearts and will NEVER use this Project or the outlets of our partners to share or futher our own beliefs. We simply offer the world a glimpse into the world that is the Graffiti of War.
Street Artists
Karen M. & Anthony C.
What's in the news today- if a gallery doesn't want to show it, it still has to be seen. We are two collaborating artists living and working in inner-city Philadelphia. Our work is political. Our mission is dedicated to those who serve our country. We want to be that voice.
Karen and Anthony specialize in stencil art that is hand-drawn and hand-cut with without digital or electronic assistance. Their mission, to elevate Street Art to a higher level, to educate the populace and be the voice of those who have none in our political world.
Karen and Anthony specialize in stencil art that is hand-drawn and hand-cut with without digital or electronic assistance. Their mission, to elevate Street Art to a higher level, to educate the populace and be the voice of those who have none in our political world.
www.AnthonyCandKarenM.com
Check out the recent Article all about Karen and Anthony - CLICK HERE!
Music & Dance
Soji & Becca
Photo by David McKeown-www.mqnphoto.com
Soji has been performing music in a variety of social functions since childhood. In the past 5 years, he has been performing around the world with a focus on using his poetic lyrics and natural vocal effects to infuse emotion for mesmerized listeners. Soji has been lucky enough to toured from Massachusetts to Texas and shared the stage with international recording acts like Harrisburg's Jeffery Gaines.
From time to time Rebecca Pugh, a talented singer/song-writer from Schuylkill County, PA, has joined him on stage and in the studio to add her soft,soothing vocals on tracks.
Soji wrote, "In My Defense" specifically for the Graffiti of War Project and Art Exhibit. Although this particular song was written exclusively by Soji, he admits, "the last 3 years have brought about some amazing music that Becca and I co-wrote."
From time to time Rebecca Pugh, a talented singer/song-writer from Schuylkill County, PA, has joined him on stage and in the studio to add her soft,soothing vocals on tracks.
Soji wrote, "In My Defense" specifically for the Graffiti of War Project and Art Exhibit. Although this particular song was written exclusively by Soji, he admits, "the last 3 years have brought about some amazing music that Becca and I co-wrote."
Soji's music and performance schedule can be found on www.facebook.com/sojimusic
Exit 12 Dance Company
Exit 12 is a company of dancers and military veterans. We perform cutting edge contemporary and classical ballet. We create realities within our works that deal with difficult themes, like war, and inspire observation, introspection and hope.
Exit 12 Dance Company strives to educate our audience about important social issues, cultural awareness and diplomacy and the importance of arts in education. We will create new remarkable works, collaborate with emerging artists and revisit works of the past. We will present our works to major dance audiences, non-traditional dance audiences, school-age audiences and workshop in health care and Veterans venues.
Exit 12 Dance Company strives to educate our audience about important social issues, cultural awareness and diplomacy and the importance of arts in education. We will create new remarkable works, collaborate with emerging artists and revisit works of the past. We will present our works to major dance audiences, non-traditional dance audiences, school-age audiences and workshop in health care and Veterans venues.
"Dancing into the Hearts and Minds"
For More Information on Exit 12 Dance Company Visit www.Exit12DanceCo.com
Poets & Writers
Amalie Flynn
Amalie Flynn is an American writer. She is the author of two blogs. Her SeptemberEleventh blog septembereleventh.wordpress.com is based on her experience of being a few blocks away from Ground Zero on 9/11.
Her Wife and War blog wifeandwar.wordpress.com is based on her experience as a military wife. Wife and War deals with important issues of war: deployment and separation, homecoming and reintegration, as well as the unique strains that war places on families, on those called up to fight it, on their spouses left at home, and on the relationships that need to be rebuilt once deployment is over. Amalie Flynn’s writing has been featured by The New York Times (November 2010, March 2011) and TIME(September 2011), and has received mention by CNN (September 2011).
Amalie Flynn is happily married and lives with her husband and two children on the East Coast. She is currently working on her memoir. To find out more about Amalie Flynn, you can visit her blogs, and follow her on Twitter twitter.com/amalieflynn and on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Amalie-Flynn/221024301241286.
Her Wife and War blog wifeandwar.wordpress.com is based on her experience as a military wife. Wife and War deals with important issues of war: deployment and separation, homecoming and reintegration, as well as the unique strains that war places on families, on those called up to fight it, on their spouses left at home, and on the relationships that need to be rebuilt once deployment is over. Amalie Flynn’s writing has been featured by The New York Times (November 2010, March 2011) and TIME(September 2011), and has received mention by CNN (September 2011).
Amalie Flynn is happily married and lives with her husband and two children on the East Coast. She is currently working on her memoir. To find out more about Amalie Flynn, you can visit her blogs, and follow her on Twitter twitter.com/amalieflynn and on Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/Amalie-Flynn/221024301241286.
Charlie Palumbo
Charlie is a veteran artist who served in Yokosuka, Japan onboard the USS Chancellorsville from 1998-2002. Her recently published book, The Face of a Memory: Emerging after the Military through Poetic Voice (2010) was her journey of healing through artistic means. During the process of writing her book, she decided to combine her passion for writing with her passion for activism in the veteran community.
Her artwork has been showcased in several art exhibits. She also has poetry published in the Poet’s Domain (2009) and Headwaters Appalachian Journal of Expressive Arts Therapy (2009, 2011). She reads her poetry at local events and most recently she was invited to read at the Virginia Festival of the Book.
Her artwork has been showcased in several art exhibits. She also has poetry published in the Poet’s Domain (2009) and Headwaters Appalachian Journal of Expressive Arts Therapy (2009, 2011). She reads her poetry at local events and most recently she was invited to read at the Virginia Festival of the Book.
The Face of a Memory
When writing the book, she made a conscious effort to use her work as a platform to speak to others about the transition that men and women face when leaving the service. Her book also features artwork by veteran artist, Dan Conerd, who is founder of Progressive Veterans. 80% of her proceeds go to Give an Hour, a non-profit that provides mental health services for veterans.
Currently, she is working with Veteran Artist Program, assisting with their social media and partnership efforts to promote veteran’s art. She uses her website as a tool for showcasing other veteran artist who wants to promote their work. She is also assisting with The Veterans’ PTSD Project, gathering stories to create a book to change the national conversation on PTSD. It is her hope to continue working in the community with veterans and organizations to create change through the arts.
Currently, she is working with Veteran Artist Program, assisting with their social media and partnership efforts to promote veteran’s art. She uses her website as a tool for showcasing other veteran artist who wants to promote their work. She is also assisting with The Veterans’ PTSD Project, gathering stories to create a book to change the national conversation on PTSD. It is her hope to continue working in the community with veterans and organizations to create change through the arts.
The Face of a Memory Available for Purchase on www.veteranartist.com
Paul Wasserman
Paul Wasserman is an Army veteran of the Iraq War, where he flew on missions all over theater as a non-commissioned officer in a reconnaissance aircrew. After serving, he attended graduate school, studying philosophy and literature in the US and Europe, and published a volume of poems, Say Again All, sourced in his wartime experiences. He lives in New York City and is working on new poems.
