You may recall our lead story on 9/11 about a retired SEAL Sniper who was creating a one-of-a-kind piece of art to commemorate his fallen brothers in arms. Now, the piece is complete and the organizers have provided us with this statement:
Wounded Wear is honored to be working with internationally recognized artist Ellwood T. Risk. Ellwood is a self-taught artist who has been living and working in Los Angeles since the spring of 1992 and has become famous for The Pistol Target series. His Target Series have been showcased on primetime shows and he is currently represented by galleries in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
On September 11, 2012, a Navy SEAL Sniper (SOCS Dave Hall, USN, Ret.) fired a .308 Remington 700 custom built for him by another former SEAL Sniper (SOCS Chris Higgins) at a humanoid target from 911 yards. The goal was to strike the black (scoring) part of the target 79 times (once for each fallen NSW member since 9-11). The first shot (which commemorated fallen SEAL Neil Roberts) was fired at 8:45::30 AM EST, to mark when the first World Trade Center Tower was struck, and thus essentially when America and Naval Special Warfare went to war. The bullets were fired in commemorative and chronological order for each NSW member lost in training or combat from 9-11-01 to 9-11-12. The target was pulled down each time the black portion was struck and the name of who the bullet was shot for was written next to the impact hole.
Ellwood Risk then took the target and did what he does best; he turn targets into art, this time in honor of America’s fallen SEAL brothers. He completed this amazing work of art and has donated it to Wounded Wear to auction online. This auction will begin on approximately two weeks prior to our event and will close at 1030 PM EST Feb 9th at the Toast to the Heroes event. This one of kind piece of art aptly named “Until it Hurts” is valued at $20,000. Starting bids begin at $5000.
We are, all of us, Targets in one way or another.
Even before we are old enough to understand them in any meaningful way, or the role they will play in our lives; we are targeted by social norms, religions, various forms of print and electronic media, corporations, advertisers, and governments.
None of us are exempt from exposure to these fixed cultural elements of our existence, or the means by which they attempt to impose their will upon us.
-Ellwood T. Risk
We will soon announce the website to place your bid on “Until it Hurts”