It was on a Fourth of July when Linda Jarvis Teeter, Carl Junction, Mo., took a series of photos during a fireworks demonstration.
“But I didn’t take home fireworks,” she said. “It turned out to be a magical story with a message. I am always mystified what one click of a camera can produce in the second of a flash.”
The 19 images in the series, with the accompanying story line, titled “Galactic Wars,” are now on view through July in the Beverly Corcoran Gallery, Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium.
A public reception with the artist is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. July 9 in the gallery.
“This will be a live presentation with music,” Teeter said.
Accompanying music is a movie soundtrack, “The Browning Version,” orchestrated in 1994.
“When I first heard it I immediately bought it and never knew why,” the artist said. “When I’ve exhibited this before, the viewer could touch a button and the music would play.”
However, she noted that this would not be practical at Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium, so the music will probably be played only during the reception.
The images in “Galactic Wars” trace a spiritual journey through space.
“It’s a story of global warming, chemical use and the outcome in our fight for survival,” Teeter said. “I start to question the future of earth, then fall asleep and dream of finding a better place.”
The journey takes the dreamer various places in the cosmos, including the Land of the Octopus People and a red planet inhabited by demon warriors. Saved by her guardian angel, the dreamer realizes that there is no place like home and awakens.
“I realize that we can start over and make earth good again,” Teeter said. “I’m willing to do my part. Are you?”
“Galactic Wars” was first shown at the Kansas City Artists Coalition’s Underground Gallery in Kansas City, Mo., then at Art Central Gallery in Carthage, Mo., and the AT&T Main Gallery at the Spiva Center of the Arts, Joplin.
“The series presents dramatic visionary patriotic firework displays in the 19 pieces, which are colorful and thoughtful... and create an interesting media montage with sound and dialog,” wrote Sally Armstrong, Art Central Gallery director.
Born in Kansas City, Kan., Teeter graduated in 1973 from Pittsburg State University with a bachelor of arts in English and a minor in art and psychology, as well as a bachelor of science in secondary education. For a time she lived in Columbus and opened Creation, a summer art school for youth.
Since leaving Pittsburg she has lived in Carl Junction, and owns a Farmers Insurance Agency in Joplin, as well as Photoscapes, LCC, Carl Junction.
“Nonetheless, art is my passion and the camera is my medium of choice,” Teeter said. “In the past five years I have completed about 2,500 images, and have been showing photography since 2003.”
She believes the “Galactic Wars; series is the most interesting and emotional completion to date.
“I hope viewers will find the versatility from my short photographic career, and that this series will provoke thought through the whimsical images which have a painterly quality which is my process, as I am an artist over photographer,” Teeter said.
She added that she would like to sell the series to a hospital or some other public space where it could serve as an alternative to a meditation experience. Individual images in the series are also available for purchase. Interested persons should contact the Pittsburg Memorial Auditorium office.
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. —
