One More Is One Too Many

Recent news of soldiers being killed in modern war zones brings to mind the mixed media work by Sophia Elise, "One More Is One Too Many"
Whether the numbers be few, and well reported in modern times of instant communication, or many, as in the war commemorated in Legato, one more death is one too many. Each soldier killed is a life cut short, a family in tears, distraught with grief, and another statistic reflecting the grim reality of war.

This work (one that is difficult to photograph but which drew many positive comments in Cassino) reflects those tears:
Title: Tears on Greenstone
Artist: Sophia Elise
Media: Acrylic and resin on canvas
Size: 38cm x 76cm

Sophia writes:
The inspiration for this piece came from the Tears on Greenstone at the Army Museum - (click here for link to this work).

On this "greenstone wall" that I painted are the names of family members and friends that have inspired many of the artworks in the Legato exhibition - there have been many tears shed by the participants of this exhibition and their families. This is in recognition of the tears of remembrance and the tears of loss and a reminder to us all to not let this happen again. We need to come together and work for world peace.

Thank you to all the artists who shared the names, stories and emotions with me on this very personal and heartfelt journey.

Title: Ripple Effect
Artist: Sophia Elise
Media: Mixed Media
Size: 60cm x 50cm

From Sophia's personal blog:
The title of this artwork says it all ....
Peace will spread like a ripple - starting small within ourselves and spreading outwards with our actions - Let every action be done with perfect gravity, humanity, freedom and justice, and perform it as though that action were your last. - Anon

It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. - Robert Kennedy

Title: One World
Media: Mixed Media and Acrylic
Artist: Sophia Elise
Size: 40cm x 50cm

Other images by Sophia can be viewed here: Legato Exhibition by Sophia Elise