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Art is essential
ASK THE

artsperts www.harmonmeek.com

by Kristine Meek and Juliana Meek 599 NINTH STREET, NORTH, SUITE 309 | NAPLES, FL 34102 | 239.261.2637
Dear Artsperts,

When there is unrest and uncertainty in the world, is art frivolous?
Signed,
Unsure

Dear Unsure,
Some of our readers may already know that Juliana Meek
served as an intelligence analyst with the CIA before resigning to
continue our family gallery with her sister, Kristine. She will often
sum up the vast difference of her two careers by saying she used to
follow all the bad in the world, and now she follows the beauty.
There is a viral meme on social media that attributes a quote to
Winston Churchill. It reads “During World War II, Churchill was
asked to cut funding for the arts. He replied, ‘Then what are we This work depicts the war in Ukraine with a hopeful message.
fighting for?’” In researching this quote for this column, as great as
it is, it appears to be misattributed. However, Winston Churchill
was known to have much appreciation for the arts.
A true and well documented part of World War II, though, “You are Here” by Reynier Llanes,
is the formation of the ‘Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives oil on canvas, 86”x 76”, 2022
Section Unit’. This unit was tasked with saving cultural items of
importance. What this group understood is that far from frivolous,
art is so important to mankind that it is worth taking great risk to
protect.
In times of unrest, art can play several roles. On one level, it Artists throughout history have also used turmoil as a subject
helps us escape, by finding beauty and joy in something. During in their works. These works capture and help viewers process the
a home renovation when we were children, all the artwork was emotions of the time in a visual manner. Reynier Llanes (b. 1984)
removed. Kristine was sitting quietly one day, and our mom asked is a contemporary artist who paints world events as they unfold.
her why she seemed sad. Her response was that all the windows Llanes is taking after the great masters including Pablo Picasso
to her worlds were gone. Works of art can be windows to other and his famous “Guernica”.
worlds where our imaginations freely roam, whether with the Another role of art is future learning. The idea is that youth
subject matter or the colors and textures. who are exposed to art are less likely to become destructive
Art can also be humorous or fun. During the Great Depression because the nature of art is creative. As a gallery, we engage
artists like Adolf Dehn (1895-1968), created humorous drawings students in art as often as possible. Most recently, we sponsored
and lithographs intended to make people smile during those hard $10,000 in scholarships with an art contest for public high
days. These works continue to resonate with people today. school students in Collier County. This was in partnership with
“Come on Boys, Browse Around” By Adolf Dehn, the County Centennial celebrations and in partnership with
Litho Crayon on paper, 10”x 13”. 1932
A humorous take on the realities of the Great Depression. the County Government and School District. Students created
works highlighting the history and culture of Collier County. This
fills the role of art perfectly in supporting creative thought and
appreciation for history and culture.
Art serves many levels of importance, whether in times of peace
or in times of unrest. It is never frivolous, even if a work of art is
intended to help us smile.
Sincerely,
The Artsperts

22 Life in Naples | February 2024