Writing + News — James Panero

9/11 did not end on 9/11. For American soldiers, 9/11 has been a decade-long day. As of this summer, over 44,000 troops have been wounded in conflicts following the attacks of September 11. Over 1,300 of them have undergone partial or full amputations.

“The Joe Bonham Project,” represents the efforts of wartime illustrators to document their rehabilitation. Formed in early 2011 by Michael D. Fay, the Project takes its name from the central character in Johnny Got His Gun, Dalton Trumbo’s 1938 novel of a World War I soldier unable to communicate with the outside world due to the extent of his wounds.

Through portraiture, artists from both military and civilian life now work to ensure that today’s soldiers do not become tomorrow’s Joe Bonhams. I am pleased to connect these artists with New York's most vital artistic neighborhood and proud to present their work, for the first time, as our city marks the tenth anniversary of 9/11.
-James Panero, curator
The Joe Bonham Project at Storefront Gallery, Brooklyn
September 1-September 18, 2011

Here are pictures from the opening night of The Joe Bonham Project--Thursday, September 1, 2011, at Storefront Gallery in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Photos by Jason Andrew and James Panero

Thank you artists Rob Bates, Mike Fay, Jeff Fisher, Roman Genn, Bill Harris, Richard Johnson, Amber Martin, and Victor Juhasz for allowing me to introduce Bushwick to your art honoring our wounded warriors.

Thank you Bushwick and everyone else for coming out to support the Project.

And thank you Debbie Brown and Jason Andrew for giving me the opportunity to present this exhibition at Storefront Gallery.

Click here to read the story of Rob Bates, artist and Lance Corporal making his first trip to New York for the Bonham opening.

Here is the amazing story of Marine Than Naing, a wounded warrior depicted by his friend Rob Bates.

Check out Mike Corrado's amazing music video for his hit song "Still in the Fight," depicting the rehabilitation of remarkable soldiers like Kyle Carpenter and Aaron Mankin, and Joe Bonham artists creating work that now appears in The Project.

Here is Aaron Mankin on CNN discussing his rehabilitation after an IED bombing in Iraq.

This is Michael D. Fay in The New York Times telling the story of Lance Corporal Kyle Carpenter, who is recovering from a grenade explosion in Afghanistan.

Follow the family blog of Sargent Jason Ross and learn about how this specialist from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit in Afghanistan is recovering after losing his legs to an IED.

Here is artist Victor Juhasz telling the stories of Sgt. Joseph Dietzel, Sgt. Joshua Elliott, Sgt. Blumenberg, and Sgt. Joshua Elliott.

See what Jonathan Jones in The Guardian has to say about Mike Fay and The Joe Bonham Project.

The New York Sun features a great article on The Joe Bonham Project at Storefront. Thank you Franklin Einspruch for this honor and recognizing the sacrifices of our wounded warriors

Katarina Hybenova at Bushwick Daily has written a wonderful essay of the opening night at Storefront. Thank you for this thoughtful piece.

National Review features a pitch-perfect article by Patrick Brennan on "Joe Bonham Project in Brooklyn: A Worthy Tribute"

Roger L. Simon gets the word out about Bonham on Pajamas Media

Sharon Butler has some interesting thoughts about the role of art versus illustration at Hyperallergic.

James Kalm Reports: A "Rough Cut" tour of The Joe Bonham Project by curator James Panero.

James Kalm leads off his column "Brooklyn Dispatches" for The Brooklyn Rail with a meditation on The Joe Bonham Project and the effects of ten years of war.

The Joe Bonham Project will remain on view at Storefront, 16 Wilson Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn, through September 18.

James writes:

Here are some interesting responses to my essay on Albert Barnes for Philanthropy magazine. At The New Criterion, Brian Kelly reports on the latest efforts to keep the Barnes from relocating to downtown Philadelphia. Over at The Art Law Blog, Donn Zaretsky wonders if "the moving of the Barnes in fact send exactly the right message to future donors?" Emily Schultheis at The Weekly Standard calls my essay "a fascinating story, and well worth reading" (thanks!). And finally on its Facebook page, the organization Save the Barnes offers a counterargument:

We take issue with James Panero's conclusion that Dr. Barnes, through the tightly-crafted Indenture of Trust governing his Foundation is the source of his legacy's undoing. Legal proceedings were used to amend the Indenture in helpful ways. Legal proceedings were also employed by Pew, in concert with public officials (Attorneys General, Governors, Mayors) to specifically overpower the Barnes Indenture. Their methods were dishonest, which is exactly what the Petition currently under Court review seeks to expose and remedy.