In the Comox Valley Art Gallery's George Sawchuk Gallery, an exhibit called Residual opened Saturday to coincide with Remembrance Day.
A public reception will take place Nov. 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
The George Sawchuk Gallery is an exhibition space at the Comox Valley Art Gallery vestibule dedicated to student works of all ages from the West Coast.
Residual consists of the drawings and paintings of local artist Jeanne MacGrotty, who explores Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Canadian soldiers. Her artwork examines the effects of being engaged in military activity.
MacGrotty says, "I think it is important to consider the effects of war on veterans and soldiers at a time where we are gathering to honour their sacrifices.
"These sacrifices come in many forms: distance from their families, missed holidays, birthdays, the ongoing stress and trauma of death and combat that linger on for a long time after coming home. These men and women carry many burdens doing their military duty that people safe back home can only ponder.
"The residual of battle is an invisible turmoil defined by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD has been called many things, in many wars but the same is true over decades, the psyche and heart of a soldier is left in pieces on the forefront of war."
MacGrotty, based in Union Bay, is enrolled in the North Island College Fine Arts Diploma Program and will continue on with the Emily Carr University Degree program. She is employed as a civil engineer subcontractor for local engineers as a designer and draftsman, and plans to focus on making art and travel.
For more information, contact 250-338-6211 or visit http://www.comoxvalleyartgallery.com.
— Comox Valley Art Gallery