Here is a recap of the events related to my painting  Golden Angels over Lower Manhattan, which includes photos and links to newspaper articles, video clips from TV interview, and my presentation at the St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church.

Click here for my the story behind my Golden Angels over Lower Manhattan painting and a music-video compilation.

On September 11th 2001, just before the tragic events that would unfold that morning, I was in Lower Manhattan. As I was walking south and thinking about my projects, I suddenly felt an urgent need to pray for many people who were in pain. So, I started to pray… Then, I crossed one more street… and somebody showed me the collapsing North tower of the World Trade Center… As the clouds of dust began engulfing everything around me, I run away with other people.

I began to paint this canvas soon after 9/11 but I couldn’t finish it. The images of living nightmares I witnessed that day, and those echoed over and over in the media, weakened my motivation. I put the unfinished painting away, as I wouldn’t force myself to work on it under these circumstances. Though mine paled in comparison to so many others, it took me almost 10 years to overcome my trauma from that tragic day.

This past July, nearly 10 years later, I finally felt the energy necessary to finish my artwork. I applied golden leaves on the angel’s hair and wings to show their heavenly origin. Then, I covered their clothing and wings with dust imitating the dust from the burning towers because evil triumphed over good on that day. When I completed this painting, I named it Golden Angels over Lower Manhattan on 9/11.

I believe that that strong urge to pray for people in pain I felt on 9/11 was somehow connected to the innocent people on those hijacked planes and inside the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Their many stories told and those that we would never hear are why I decided to dedicate this painting to the victims of the 9/11 attacks. They inspired my prayers, my artwork, and continue to inspire me.

I dedicate this painting to the victims of the 9/11 attacks and their families.

-Leokadia

1) Article in the Daily News of New York City (September 9, 2011):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or click here for this article hosted on NY Daily News’ website.

2)  TV interview on US Polsat – WNYE (September 9, 2011):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for a YouTube clip from this interview.

3) Article in the New York based Polish Daily News (Nowy Dziennik, September 10, 2011):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for this article hosted on Nowy Dziennik’s website.

4) Photo from Sunday’s presentation Sanctuary Still:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for a YouTube clip from this interview.

(September 11, 2011, St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church at 157 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights)

 

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