Harsh Reality Art Exhibit

The Jesse Tree

2622 Market Street Galveston, Texas 77550

(409) 621-2455 Fax (409) 621-2531

Toll Free (877) 621-2455 Email jessetree@aol.com

"A shoot will come up from the stem of Jesse;

from his roots a branch will bear fruit." Isaiah 11:1

Harsh Reality Art Exhibit

The Harsh Reality Series is a set of 22 pen and ink sketches depicting various views on homelessness and poverty.

Artist: Tom Gibson

Photographer: John Morello

The Stairway

This cracked and broken stairway leads to the overhead railroad tracks. To the right is the cool, dark, and dangerous auto underpass. Fire ants, trash, weeds, and several unkempt elm trees vainly attempt to reclaim the concrete mass.

Over a period of time, I came to realize that part of the banister was regularly used as a sort of mailbox. One day there would be a worn-out pair of cowboy boots sitting on the railing, the next day a couple of paper sacks, the next day there would be a pile of clothes. Each item seemed to evolve, one into the other, during the night.

I will leave it to the viewer whether the feeling of this illustration is one of looking up to where you are going, or one of looking back from where you have come.

This art exhibit is prepared for loan to qualified organizations. For more information about shipping fees and ways to donate to the Jesse Tree, call (409) 621-2455 or if you live out of the Galveston, Texas (409) area code, call toll free (877) 621-2455.