By Corinne LestchThe Daily Northwestern
Richard Halstead thinks the public should appreciate the work of the nation’s emergency workers, even in relatively peaceful times.
Halstead, an Evanston artist, presented the last piece in a series of four original portraits to the Evanston City Council in December. Each portrait depicts emergency workers in Evanston. The portraits all hang on the second floor of the Evanston Civic Center.
“(My paintings) represent the nobility of these professions in places that people don’t really consider,” said Halstead, who teaches classes at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center. “I always had an appreciation for people who do their jobs, and especially people who help others.”
Halstead said he was inspired to begin his project when he noticed a photograph of a firefighter who died while on the job. He said the photo, which he saw at the Evanston City Collector’s Office, was an inadequate depiction of those who risk their lives for other people. His first portrait in the series depicts an Evanston firefighter and was completed in 2002.
“It has a fairly abstract background that suggests smoke and heat, and a sense of weariness and tired nobility in his face,” Halstead said.
Although Halstead had the idea for his project before Sept. 11, 2001, his desire to complete the project intensified after the attacks, he said.
The second portrait depicts a paramedic about to administer an IV to a man lying on the ground. The man, who died of cancer this past year, was one of Halstead’s good friends.
“I think it’s terrific that this gentleman is taking the time out to recognize what it is this city has to provide by way of services,” said Kim Kull, the paramedic featured in the portrait.
Halstead was inspired to paint a portrait of a forestry worker after he and other employees helped Halstead when an elm tree fell on top of his house.
“It’s comforting to know that those people are there,” Halstead said.
His final painting shows three police officers trying to determine what happened at a crime scene.
“I talked pretty excessively to the people in these professions to see what they want me to represent,” Halstead said. “One of the cops said he would like the police to be represented as peacemakers rather than enforcers, and that’s what I tried to do.”
Halstead said he tried to represent the diversity of the neighborhood by including people of diverse ethnicities.
Halstead is a professional portrait artist; his portrait of former Illinois Governor George Ryan hangs in the State Capitol in Springfield.
Ald. Delores Holmes (5th) said she liked the concept behind the series.
“It’s great to acknowledge the workers in the community,” she said. “I think it’s great because everyone can share in his vision.”
Reach Corinne Lestch at [email protected].
