Vietnam vets express their art in the Visual Arts Gallery
Vietnam veterans, John Watje (left: art) and Duane Reed display their art in the Visual Arts Center through Nov. 20. “It’s me giving back to the culture,” said Watje explaining his background in Native American style art.
Artists John Watje and Duane Reed’s work in MHCC’s Visual Art Gallery attempts to capture the problem of “war.”
Their pieces are inspired by the Viet Nam War and are blended with Native American-style art. Reed’s work reflects flashbacks to the war, while Watje’s focus lies in his passion for Native American culture.
Both artists have the same military background, having enlisted and serving three tours for the U.S. Army’s radio research division. While a part of this branch, Watje and Reed were introduced to photography through their ward officer. Finding their bearing in photography, the two friends began their path towards art.
Watje came to the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s, looking to take his education to the next level. Both artists are working toward a master’s degree in English, and Watje is working on a master’s degree in education from Harvard University. Watje started his employment at the National Transportation Systems Center in Boston, and Reed became a commercial photographer.
In 1995, Watje became disabled with PTSD, going from a $75,000 yearly salary as a senior information analyst, to nothing. He discovered that there must be something more than just a disability. He stumbled upon a man named Ben Hillaire, a carver from a Native American family who invited him to his reservation to study the art of carving. Watje did not hesitate and began his journey of seven years in education for art. Over that time he met many teachers who showed him there is more to carving than one might think.
Here is where he found his purpose.
“It’s me giving back to the culture,” said Watje, explaining why he chose to do Native American-style art. “The culture is something we took back from them; now it’s my turn.” More than exposing the Native American culture, meanwhile, Watje’s work is the ongoing cure for memories that will haunt him forever.
Reed successfully became a board chairman for the Yakima Valley Community College long after the war. After traveling the world being a professional photographer, he found his home with education and English through his degree and is happily still involved at YVCC.
The work of Watje and Reed art will remain on display in the Visual Arts Gallery through Nov. 20.
This article as a number of errors regarding myself and my career. I did not travel the world as a professional photographer, though I was a professional photographer for a time but did not travel extensively. I have never been a “board chairman” whatever that is. Finally, my art does not represent “flash backs to the war” and are not inspired by the war in any way!