LIGHT AMONG SHADOWS is an Art Exhibition that honors Orlando Letelier and Ronnie Moffit, murdered in 1976 on the streets of Washington D.C. for their human rights activism against the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile (the two were killed in a bomb attack carried out by agents of the Pinochet regime).

The exhibit, taking place in L.A. at Santa Monica's 18th Street Gallery, celebrates the new heroes of the human rights movement throughout the Americas.

The exhibit blends visual art with writing, photographs, and documents. Artists include yours truly... Mark Vallen, as well as Judy Baca, Michael Walker, and Francisco Letelier (Son of the slain Orlando Letelier). Writers contributing works include, Ariel Dorfman, Carlos Fuentes, and many others.



I'll be showing a large Chalk Pastel Drawing I created in 1989, titled, Voices of Justice (a detail of which tops this page). My artwork was commissioned by Guatemalan exiles and issued as a full color Poster that announced The Guatemalan Human Rights Tribunal held in the Council Chambers of L.A. City Hall in 1989. Now, some years after the end of Guatemala's Civil War, it has been revealed that over 200,000 civilians, most of them Mayan Indians, perished in the Guatemalan Government Army's fanatical anti-Communist blood bath.

An Artist's Reception takes place on Sat., August 2nd., from 6 - 9 p.m. (free). Artists will be on hand to greet you and answer questions. The reception also includes a panel discussion on the role of Art in social change, featuring musician Jackson Browne, activist Tom Hayden, filmmaker Saul Landau, activist Charlie Clements, & journalist Anne Marie O'Connor. The panel discussion will be held from 4 - 6 p.m. (free)

The Light Among Shadows exhibition is part of the 2003 L.A. International Biennial Art Invitational. Celebrating its 10th Anniversary this summer, the Biennial presents International Art exhibitions & related events. Some 70 Galleries, Art spaces, & Museums throughout Los Angeles have invited over 200 Artists from 30 countries to exhibit in their gallery spaces.

Light Among Shadows runs until August 29th., 2003. The 18th Street Arts Center is located at, 1639 18th. Street, Santa Monica, just 1/2 blk north of Olympic Boulevard. Phone: 310-453-3711.

Web: www.18thstreet.org

E-mail: 18thstreet@18th.org