Sept. 11 has effect on work

Dr. Alfred Bright says he has no preconceived notions as he begins a new painting, but he's seeing the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States coming out in his work.
Bright's most recent live painting event was at Cedar Lounge in downtown Youngstown. When he was finished, he realized that what he had painted was a Sept. 11 piece -- it was primarily red, white and blue.
The entire country has been "reconfigured" since the terrorist attacks, Bright said. The tragedy has also produced something good: people are "finding community, because we had drifted away from that and each other."
Bright specializes in abstract art, but, "It's really reality," he said. "People think of it as nonobjective, but it really is objective."
The attacks will be a topic for artists indefinitely, Bright said.
"Art is a reflection of the times. Sometimes it's a precursor of the reality of our world. That's why it's universal.
"We live in a very challenging time" as we face the consequences of not having a global view and failing to see the beauty in all people, Bright said. It's a reason for cultural clash. Art can be part of the healing experience, he added.