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Scotlund Haisley, resident of Takoma Park, Md. and president and founder of the locally-based, national non-profit Animal Rescue Corps (ARC), is showing his first solo exhibition at art matters, the gallery project of Art Works Studio School in Mount Rainier, Md. This will be art matters’ inaugural exhibition. Proceeds will benefit Art works Studio School and ARC.
The exhibit, titled Suffering Rendered, opens this Friday and will be displayed through October 22. It features paintings depicting Haisley’s animal protection work dating from search and rescue he did in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to his most recent work with ARC, traveling the globe to rescue an unprecedented number of animals from breeding mills, animal fighting operations, hoarding and natural disasters. Haisley, who began his career as a humane officer in DC, paints on salvaged antique ceiling tins using a vivid palette to capture the raw intensity of these scenes. Haisley’s paintings often focus on his subjects’ eyes, which act as a portal to the raw emotion depicted in his work.
“I am haunted by the powerful images of suffering I witness in the course of my animal rescue work,” Haisley said, “painting them is part of my healing process and I hope these images inspire others to join me in ending animal suffering.”
In recent years, Haisley has expanded the focus of his artwork from issues of animal cruelty to varied topics of social justice. Haisley has been featured along with other prominent artists, such as Shepard Fairey and Ron English, in such exhibitions as RE:FORMSCHOOL in New York City (October 2010) to promote fixing ailing public school systems across the U.S., MANIFEST EQUALITY: LA in Los Angeles (March 2010) to promote full and equal rights for all Americans and MANIFESTHOPE: D.C. Gallery show in Washington, DC (January 2009) to celebrate the role that art plays in creating cultural momentum.
“Art Works strives to bring awareness of pressing social justice issues in a hopeful manner to the community along with the idea that creative action is a means to a better, more humane world for every sentient being,” said Barbara Johnson, founding director of Art Works Studio School and the director of art matters. “Mr. Haisley’s work uniquely embodies this notion, and we are honored to be able to present his work to the community.”
Art Works Studio School Gallery is located at 3711 Rhode Island Avenue, Mount Rainier, MD 20712. For more information about the exhibit, please visit www.artworksnow.org/in-the-gallery or call 301-454-0808. For more information about Animal Rescue Corps, please visit www.animalrescuecorps.org.
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