By Laura Lane
Five years have passed since Sept. 11, and I've seen many exhibits of photographs, sculptures, paintings, even post cards, all conveying the emotions that day evoked.
I visited ground zero shortly after the attacks, interviewed family members of victims for stories and knew someone who perished while working at Windows on the World.
I didn't believe I'd feel anything that I hadn't already felt when viewing Ray's multi-media piece, except more of an appreciation and admiration for her as an artist. And I'd already seen a postcard size copy of "Shattered Dreams" while interviewing Ray at her Merrick home, so I was prepared.
But seeing the original, much larger version, one of the first pieces in the "Voiceless in the Presence of Realities" exhibit at Hofstra, was not what I expected.
My discomfort was immediate. Studying Ray's piece I remembered in detail the horror of that day, the helplessness I felt, and my inability to understand even today how people could be so cruel to others.
Although the piece reopened a wound, I couldn't stop looking at it. Simply put, "Shattered Dreams," which combines headlines, faces, and architectural elements surrounded by a fringe of blood and fire, depicts hell.
And if you stare long enough at "Shattered Dreams," a piece that Ray said nearly created itself, you can almost hear the raging fire, and feel the anguish and despair of those desperate to escape. It will also renew your admiration for the courage of the rescue workers, who are prominently displayed in the piece, the heroes who refused to give up when commonsense said they should have turned back for their own good.
Ray said she'd never forget what she experienced while creating the work. "When I started working on 'Shattered Dreams,' I had this awful feeling inside of me and thought I have to do something to express it," recalled Ray. "I think creating this piece was the strangest experience I've ever had. I felt like someone took my hand, like a pouring out of emotion; it was like the work took me to another level."
And being included in Hofstra's Sept. 11 exhibit means even more to Ray because she graduated from the university many years ago.
"I think it's a privilege to show my work at the Emily Lowe Gallery, particularly since it was my alma mater," said Ray. "I feel
like I've come full circle to be included in such a prestigious show."
Ray has led an enviable life in the 44 years that she's
lived in Merrick, special in that she was able to develop as an artist
even while working and raising her three children during a time when that wasn't all that common.
"I raised my children during the feminism era, and I was very active attending consciousness-raising meetings," said Ray. "Those of us that had an education felt a need to be the best we could be, so I had two jobs -- a career and that of being a housewife. And my children worked with me to make what I wanted to do work and were very proud of me."
She attributes much of her success to the support of her late husband, Erwin. Although he was busy starting his own business, Erwin always encouraged his wife to pursue her dreams.
"When I married, men thought women should be in the house doing housework," said Ray. "Erwin worked hard, seven days a week for 13 years, but he was always emotionally supportive, realizing how important my art was to me."
And Ray always managed to take classes and workshops to improve her craft, even while her children were young. "When he came home from work, I already had cooked dinner, had a plate waiting for him, and the children bathed and ready for bed," said Ray. "When he walked through the door, I walked out. Even though my family always came first, Erwin knew that I needed my freedom to digest all that I could in my art."
She was even able to take weekly workshops out of town with noted artists like experimental mixed media artist Maxine Masterfeld, Pat Dews and Louise Cadillac, who is a recognized watercolor artist.
Ray has a bachelor's degree in art education from Hofstra, and earned a master's in liberal studies from Stony Brook University. She acquired the master's while working as a substitute teacher in Merrick and Bellmore elementary schools while her children were young.
Since her husband's death, Ray has taken over his business, Carnel's Printing in Port Washington. And she's continued to create fascinating works of art.
Working in her studio at home, she creates watercolors, mixed medias, collages, acrylics and reproductions. Ray strives to express her emotions in her work and evoke emotion in others.
"When I created 'Shattered Dreams,' I felt it was powerful and special, and it still is," said Ray. "'Shattered Dreams' is very dear to me and has a special place in my heart."
Ray sells her work privately and has several works on sale at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn.
To purchase one of Ray's works, call her at (516) 428-3373, or visit her Web site at www.paintingsdirect.com. For further information about the "Voiceless in the Presence of Realities" Sept. 11 show, call Hofstra at (516) 463-5672.
Comments about this story? LLane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
