September 17, 2001

I would like to share my compassion with my American friends. Every time violent acts are committed by man, in my opinion, it is wounding peace on earth. With the violent barbarous events of September 11th in New York and Washington, we have another example of destroying the foundation of peace in the world.

The pictures that accompanies this short statement represent a sculpture I have created after the Gulf War. The slanted triangular pointed rocket or projectile, represented by the dark, torn and bloody shapes is stabbing the white bird shape symbolising "Peace". This welded steel and cast paper work has never been exhibited before because it is never easy to look at the atrocities of war. Nevertheless, I think that, at this moment, such works are meaningful to emphasize the inhumanity of violence and conflicts in the world. Many artists, in the past, have reacted by their works to historical atrocities of their time. That is why I want to contribute shocking elements of reflexion and introspection in the hope that it will encourage humanity to build and protect peace.

This is my way of reacting to those painful events.

Claude Roussel,
Canadian Artist