The Graffiti of War Project
A Collection of Interviews and Articles in the Media about The Graffiti of War Project
Contact Doc or Jenny Bell for copies of these interviews and other articles to help spread awareness for the project in your area. Or visit our PR page and download links, videos, banners, brochures and more. We need your support to ensure the success of this project.
The Graffiti of War in the News and Published by Media Organizations such as:
 www.BusinessInsider.com   www.WarNewsRadio.org |
 www.Maxim.com  www.Wired.com  www.BoingBoing.com  www.WVPubCast.org |
Stars and Stripes - www.Stripes.com
November 13th, 2011
Downrange Art: Project Showcases Paintings, Graffiti, Other Artwork by Troops in Iraq, Afghanistan
Based on his two deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan, Army Staff Sgt. Stephen Quarles can tell you the best place to gauge unit morale: the latrine.
It is often only there, in a plastic shell perched atop a stinking pile of waste, that a soldier at war can truly be alone, a place where thoughts can be expressed via written words or drawn renderings.
No bellowing first sergeant, no officers to salute.
When things are going well, writings include “82nd kicks ass,” Quarles said. “When things were going bad, it was ‘time to go home,’ or ‘we hate it here.’ ”
It is often only there, in a plastic shell perched atop a stinking pile of waste, that a soldier at war can truly be alone, a place where thoughts can be expressed via written words or drawn renderings.
No bellowing first sergeant, no officers to salute.
When things are going well, writings include “82nd kicks ass,” Quarles said. “When things were going bad, it was ‘time to go home,’ or ‘we hate it here.’ ”
Click HERE to Read the Full Article on Stripes.com
WNEP News 16 - www.WNEP.com
November 11th, 2011
Graffiti of War Exhibit
A new art exhibit on display at various locations in Pottsville illustrates war as seen through the eyes of men and women on the front lines.
Click HERE to Watch the Full Story
Click HERE to Watch the Full Story
WBRE - PA Live! - www.PAHomepage.com
November 9th, 2011
Graffiti of War Showcases Veterans Art
Organizers of "Graffiti of War" talk about the exhibit, which opened on Veterans Day in Pottsville, PA, which showcases the art of war by veterans. Frederick Hubler and Kandi Atkinson talk about the exhibit's mission to open dialog between soldiers and civilians and bring an understanding of what veterans have gone through in the combat zone.
Click HERE to Watch the Full Interview on PAHomepage.com
Click HERE to Watch the Full Interview on PAHomepage.com
FoxNews.com
November 9th, 2011
Art Becomes Therapy for Soldiers
Interview by Fox News Correspondant, Jonathan Hunt, of Jaeson "Doc" Parsons discussing the Graffiti of War Project's National Art Exhibition opening on Veterans Day in Pennsylvania. In addition, the interview raises awareness for those veterans and military members suffering from the invisible wounds of war, PTSD and TBI. Click HERE for the entire interview.
US Department of Defense - Armed Forces Press Service
November 8th, 2011
Graffiti of War Exhibit Debuts Veterans Day
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2011 – Overseas-deployed service members’ artwork will be highlighted during a national exhibition tour that kicks off on Veterans Day in Pottsville, Pa.
The “Graffiti of War” project represents an anthology of more than 400 pieces of art left by deployed service members in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. The collection includes images of graffiti murals painted on the tall concrete barriers at many operating bases in Iraq now being turned over to Iraqi security forces.
The “Graffiti of War” project represents an anthology of more than 400 pieces of art left by deployed service members in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. The collection includes images of graffiti murals painted on the tall concrete barriers at many operating bases in Iraq now being turned over to Iraqi security forces.
Click HERE to Read the Full Article on Defense.gov
WTOV - Channel 9 News
November 4th, 2011
Graffiti of War Project works to unite soldiers and civilians
A West Virginia native and former combat medic is working to unite soldiers and civilians in an unconventional way. Jaeson Parsons has worked to collect nearly 10,000 pictures of artwork created by soldiers fighting overseas, mainly those in Iraq. "A lot of this stuff doesn't exist anymore and I think collecting it is important," said Parsons. From murals of dog tags, a memorial to 9-11, images of soldiers fighting in combat, to simple writings on port o pottys, they are all pictures Parsons is including in a book."It provides a unique glimpse into the world that most civilians have never seen," he said.
Click HERE to watch the interview with Jaeson "Doc" Parsons
Business Insider Article - www.BusinessInsider.com
September 3rd, 2011
This Analyst Turned Army Medic Started A Creative Non-Profit To Help Other Vets Fight PTSD
He left a promising career in finance, joined the Army after 9/11, overcame Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and started a non-profit to drive money toward PTSD research—but he's convinced the media's not giving him a chance. "Sometimes it feels like I keep hitting walls," he says. "It seems people are just ready for all this to be over."
To Read More Click HERE
Article Published by 10 Years and Counting - www.10yearsandcounting.com
August 25th, 2011
Spraycans, Brushes, Markers and T-Walls: The Graffiti of War Project
Following Jaeson “Doc” Parson’s piece on Conflict Art Tricia
Khutoresky writes more about the Graffiti of War Projectfor 10 Years + Counting.
Modern life conveniently keeps us desensitized and distracted when it comes to war. Beyond the watered-down version that the media shares with us, and lingering attitudes from generations past that locked war experiences away in a box, it’s no wonder we so easily turn the other way. Our growing lack of empathy towards war veterans and lack of interest in war victims isn’t justifiable. Yet adding fuel to a long faded fire is no easy task, and most people won’t blink at the passing of the 10-year anniversary of the invasion in October. Those who do notice may feel overwhelmed, disappointed and helpless… then return to worrying about paying their bills or getting home in time to make dinner, assuming they could never make a difference in the big scheme of things.
Modern life conveniently keeps us desensitized and distracted when it comes to war. Beyond the watered-down version that the media shares with us, and lingering attitudes from generations past that locked war experiences away in a box, it’s no wonder we so easily turn the other way. Our growing lack of empathy towards war veterans and lack of interest in war victims isn’t justifiable. Yet adding fuel to a long faded fire is no easy task, and most people won’t blink at the passing of the 10-year anniversary of the invasion in October. Those who do notice may feel overwhelmed, disappointed and helpless… then return to worrying about paying their bills or getting home in time to make dinner, assuming they could never make a difference in the big scheme of things.
Read More of the Article at www.10yearsandcounting.wordpress.com
Article Published by Halogen TV - www.HalogenTV.com
August 16th, 2011
In Pictures: The Graffiti of War
After serving in the Iraq war, Jaeson “Doc” Parsons created art from his harrowing experiences in the Middle East. The Graffiti of War Project is a new platform for soldiers to tell their experiences through graffiti art. “Our vision is to showcase these amazing images of art and provide a unique glimpse into an entirely different side of the war, from the perspective of the individual experience, through the art they create.”
Proceeds from the sale of The Graffiti of War will go toward the Graffiti of War Foundation to help returning vets as well as organizations supporting soldiers and families. “With the publication of the book, we hope to help raise awareness for the invisible wounds of war, PTSD, affecting hundreds
of thousands of warfighters and civilians as well as their families, here and abroad."
Proceeds from the sale of The Graffiti of War will go toward the Graffiti of War Foundation to help returning vets as well as organizations supporting soldiers and families. “With the publication of the book, we hope to help raise awareness for the invisible wounds of war, PTSD, affecting hundreds
of thousands of warfighters and civilians as well as their families, here and abroad."
Read More of the Article at www.halogentv.com/articles/in-pictures-graffiti-of-war
Interview Released by KRWG-NPR - New Mexico State
July 28th, 2011
Fred Martino interviews veteran and New Mexico State University student Andrea Sandoval about the Graffiti of War Project, an online collection of artwork by U.S. service members.
Article Published by "Wings Over Iraq" - www.WingsOverIraq.com
July 12th, 2011
Graffiti of War
www.WingsOverIraq.com
“Since graffiti is done for neither critical acclaim nor financial rewards, it is the purest form of art”.
–Anonymous
Graffiti. It’s been around forever, and it’s especially prevalent wherever soldiers go. Even the legendary Kilroy has a permanent place at the World War Two Memorial in Washington, DC.
Today, combat graffiti is just as common as ever: on concrete barriers, on military vehicles, and, of course, on latrine walls. As a sign of the times, perhaps, more than one jilted lover has turned to scrawling an e-mail address or a Myspace user ID on the wall of a chemical latrine, rather than the phone number of yesteryear.
–Anonymous
Graffiti. It’s been around forever, and it’s especially prevalent wherever soldiers go. Even the legendary Kilroy has a permanent place at the World War Two Memorial in Washington, DC.
Today, combat graffiti is just as common as ever: on concrete barriers, on military vehicles, and, of course, on latrine walls. As a sign of the times, perhaps, more than one jilted lover has turned to scrawling an e-mail address or a Myspace user ID on the wall of a chemical latrine, rather than the phone number of yesteryear.
Radio Interview with Brad Adducchio and WV Public Radio - www.WVPubCast.org
July 7th, 2011
WVU student returns from Middle East studying the “Graffiti of War”
West Virginia University student Jaeson Parsons is working on a project called “Graffiti of War.” Parsons is helping create a book filled with images from war areas in Iraq, and other places in the Middle East. Parsons is a veteran who hopes the book helps share the experience of war with the public. He talked about his recent trip to Iraq to get images for Graffiti of War, and says going back to the area where he served is a little surreal.
Click below to listen to an interview with Parsons.
Click below to listen to an interview with Parsons.
Business Insider Article - www.BusinessInsider.com
July 4th, 2011
When Doctors Told Him To Get A Hobby, This PTSD-Suffering Vet Photographed The Graffiti Of War
Most recent article published by BusinessInsider.com on the Graffiti of War Project which focuses on the art created by service members, civilians and local nationals providing a unique and individual perspective on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
WVU Today Article - www.WVUToday.WVU.edu
July 1st, 2011
WVU student veteran brings solace to soldiers through art
Jaeson Parsons would wake up every day in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, wondering who would be blown up next. The U.S. Army medic from Chicago saw burns, liquified insides and holes where limbs used to be. Then he had to repair the damage. “It’s hard to explain what it feels like to always be on edge and thinking ‘When I leave the post today am I going to die?’” he said.
Interview with Elliana Bisgaard-Church & War News Radio - www.WarNewsRadio.org
July 1st, 2011
This Week on War News Radio: The Art of War
Jaeson "Doc" Parsons speaks with Elliana Bisgaard-Church from War News Radio during the Graffiti of War Project's summer expedition to Kuwait and Iraq discussing the art, the war and the experience of returning to the warzone he deployed to with the 54th Engineer Battalion in 2006.
On Iraq's Walls, The Graffiti of War - www.Wired.com
by Lena Groeger
June 19th, 2011 - For Full Article and Slideshow Click Here.
U.S. forces are scheduled to depart Iraq in December. But on the giant concrete barriers that still ring the constellations of bases around the country, their artistic footprint will remain.
Over the past eight years, all around Iraq, troops turned the jersey barriers and t-walls designed to protect them from insurgent attacks into concrete canvases. Sometimes the pictures they painted chased the monotony away from the landscapes of their deployment. Other times they spelled out what their service meant to them, honored a fallen friend, pined for home, or bragged about their units.
Over the past eight years, all around Iraq, troops turned the jersey barriers and t-walls designed to protect them from insurgent attacks into concrete canvases. Sometimes the pictures they painted chased the monotony away from the landscapes of their deployment. Other times they spelled out what their service meant to them, honored a fallen friend, pined for home, or bragged about their units.
Article Published by West Virginia Public Broadcasting - www.WVPubCast.org
May 26th, 2011
Project exposes experience of war through soldiers' graffiti
A military veteran from Clarksburg is documenting the war in Iraq through graffiti that soldiers created on military bases. Former Army Combat Medic, Jaeson Parsons, says it's a way to expose the raw emotions soldiers experience during war. Parsons knows the mental anguish that comes with spending months away from family in a dangerous place where friends are hurt and killed. He joined the army in 2005 and began serving in Ramadi, Iraq later that year.
Radio Interview with Dick Gordon, host of "The Story" on American Public Media
May 23rd, 2011
The Graffiti of War
www.TheStory.org
When Jaeson Parsons went to Iraq as a medic, he was based in a particularly dangerous place in the desert. Inside a building, he stumbled on some graffiti - an image of a lighthouse that another American soldier left on a concrete wall. Jaeson recalls the words alongside the painting on the wall: "From sea to shining sea." In part to cope with his PTSD, Jason is now traveling back to Iraq to collect images of the art.
Click HERE for the Follow-up Interview with "The Story" on July 7th - War and Words
The Graffiti of War: by Susannah Breslin
April 27th, 2011
For The Full Article Visit the Link Below
For The Full Article Visit the Link Below
http://www.boingboing.net/2011/04/27/the-graffiti-of-war.html
From war, art. This is the basic premise of The Graffiti of War , a project from two combat veterans that features the unconventional military art that soldiers, seamen, marines, and airmen (and women) create during deployments. From tanks spray painted with "I love u baby" to memorials for the dead to enemy jets covered in graffiti, every art work tells a story. It's the alternative, unauthorized history of war from those who fought it. The idea was hatched by Army combat medic Jaeson "Doc"
Parsons, when he was deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, where he met Jason Deckman, an Army combat engineer. The men plan to turn the images they are collecting into a book and donate the proceeds to organizations that help returning veterans. I spoke with Staff Sergeant Deckman, 37, a 16-year Army veteran whose deployments include Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, and Iraq. In 2007, Deckman transitioned to the Army Reserves. He lives in Killeen, Texas.
Parsons, when he was deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, where he met Jason Deckman, an Army combat engineer. The men plan to turn the images they are collecting into a book and donate the proceeds to organizations that help returning veterans. I spoke with Staff Sergeant Deckman, 37, a 16-year Army veteran whose deployments include Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, and Iraq. In 2007, Deckman transitioned to the Army Reserves. He lives in Killeen, Texas.
Charleston Gazette Article on The Graffiti of War Project
March 6th, 2011
Graffiti of War: Veteran hopes photographs will lead to healing
By Jenn Young
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. -- Only within the past six months has Clarksburg resident Jaeson Parsons been able to talk about the bodies he saw as a combat medic in Iraq. Often, it was those of the living who were most haunting. It's been in trying to heal his own mental wounds that Parsons has taken on The Graffiti of War project.
"We want to show people, this is how you can get involved, by being part of the dialogue. So that we're not going to be the '70s generation that forgot about the vets," he said. "We're not going to be our grandfather and great-grandfather's generations, who just didn't talk about what happens in a war. Let's bring it out in the open, so everyone can talk about it. Then we can move on."
People can submit photography for the project by e-mailing Jaeson Parsons at doc@graffitiofwar.com. They can also log onto the website graffitiofwar.com or Facebook page (www.tinyurl.com/GofWFacebook) to upload their photos.
For The full article, visit, http://www.wvgazette.com/Life/201103040844.
By Jenn Young
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. -- Only within the past six months has Clarksburg resident Jaeson Parsons been able to talk about the bodies he saw as a combat medic in Iraq. Often, it was those of the living who were most haunting. It's been in trying to heal his own mental wounds that Parsons has taken on The Graffiti of War project.
"We want to show people, this is how you can get involved, by being part of the dialogue. So that we're not going to be the '70s generation that forgot about the vets," he said. "We're not going to be our grandfather and great-grandfather's generations, who just didn't talk about what happens in a war. Let's bring it out in the open, so everyone can talk about it. Then we can move on."
People can submit photography for the project by e-mailing Jaeson Parsons at doc@graffitiofwar.com. They can also log onto the website graffitiofwar.com or Facebook page (www.tinyurl.com/GofWFacebook) to upload their photos.
For The full article, visit, http://www.wvgazette.com/Life/201103040844.
Podcast with the guys from www.StandAtEase.org
March 6th 2011
Episode 13-Kilroy Was Here
From every war and every conflict comes the need for cathartic expression – and from many warriors this takes the form of unconventional art – graffiti, body art, messages scribbled in marker on the shit house wall. In this week’s episode, the founders of Graffiti of War (http://www.graffitiofwar.com) join us to discuss their project and where they hope it’ll go in the future – including an upcoming trip this summer to Kuwait, Iraq, and possibly, Afghanistan.
File Download (64:28 min / 59 MB)
episode13.mp3
File Download (64:28 min / 59 MB)
episode13.mp3
Interview with CBS Affiliate WDTV
October 19, 2010
