Through December 23 – Hudson County
Hoboken Artist Pays Tribute to World War I — and Fellow Veterans — in a Series of Artworks on “Combat Paper”
Hoboken Museum hosts new art exhibit, “Jim Fallon: Heaven, Hell or Hoboken, Monoprints on Combat Paper,” through Dec. 23
The Hoboken Historical Museum was pleased to commemorate the centennial of Armistice Day, the end of World War I, with the opening reception for a WWI-inspired art exhibit by veteran Jim Fallon: “Heaven, Hell or Hoboken: Monoprints on Combat Paper.” The show will remain on view in the Upper Gallery through December 23.
The exhibit comprises 15 works of art, most on the theme of the centennial of America’s participation in World War I, 1917 - 1918. The name of Fallon’s show is inspired by General Pershing’s famous rallying cry to the troops, “Heaven, Hell or Hoboken,” near the close of the war, as Hoboken served as the main port of embarkation and return.
Many pieces in Fallon’s Armistice Day series were produced for the Frontline Arts Center in Branchburg, NJ, and shown in an exhibition in Jersey City Hall last year to commemorate the anniversary of America’s involvement in the Great War. Several pieces incorporate images he researches online, such as zeppelins, the Lusitania, and battle scenes from a century ago, as well as from his own service in Vietnam.
One piece, “Harlem Hellfighters WWI,” a linocut with acrylic on combat paper, combines Fallon’s deep love of jazz music with an homage to the famous 369th regiment that served in World War I as a segregated unit of mostly black and Puerto Rican soldiers from Harlem. These soldiers not only distinguished themselves in battle, but also during and after the war, when musicians from the unit introduced American jazz to Europe. Many returned to Paris after the war to escape the police harassment that made it difficult for them to perform in New York, spawning an enduring fan base for jazz in Europe.
Fallon came to the practice of art late in life, about five years ago, after joining in an art class offered by the Disabled American Veterans group. He was serving as a veterans service officer, helping other disabled vets gain access to programs like art therapy at the Veterans Center in Secaucus.
Exposure to Agent Orange also marked him, as it did over 400,000 other Vietnam veterans, although it took 20 years in his case to show up as bone cancer. He lost the humerus bone in his right arm, replaced by a titanium bone. Through therapy, he regained use of the lower part of his arm but can’t lift heavy objects. It doesn’t prevent him from making art, which he spends several hours a day on now, in his Hoboken home.
Tuesday – Thursday 2 to 7 pm
Friday 1 to 5 pm
Saturday & Sunday 12 to 5 pm
