A new art collection at Fine Art America,  called “For the 500 Thousand and Those Who Loved Them,” has launched in commemoration of the 500,000 Americans and 2.5 million people worldwide who have died from the COVID-19 pandemic as of February 21, 2021. It also pays tribute to their family members, caregivers, and pandemic frontline workers.
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Created by the artist Aberjhani, whose literary works are often quoted on social media, the new collection is called “For the 500 Thousand Fallen and Those Who Loved Them.” It currently contains the following 4 prints: 1) the title artwork; 2) Wreath of Grace and Honor; 3) Palace of Psalms and Gold; and 4) Made It Home Again. 

When asked why he felt it important to acknowledge the painful 500,000 deaths milestone in the U.S. and more than 2 million losses worldwide, Aberjhani answered as follows:
 
“Almost from the beginning, the pandemic has been described as a war with an invisible enemy. That description is not necessarily inaccurate but what’s most disturbing about it for a lot of people is they never considered themselves soldiers or marines or anything like that. Consequently, they were not prepared for something like this even though many agree we should have been.”

He further pointed out the striking contrast between losses to the pandemic and deaths during times of war: “Victims of the pandemic and their families have in fact become casualties of this year-long ‘war’ which has now taken more American lives than either World War I, World War II, the Viet Nam War, or our longest conflict, the war in Afghanistan.”

​Because of the nature of the commemoration, the mark-up on the title artwork, “For the 500 Thousand Fallen and Those Who Loved Them,” has been kept at minimum for all product formats. In addition, the current BNTZLH discount code made be utilized on any of the artist’s work for 40 percent off the same. 

The series prints fall into the category of Silk-Featherbrush Artstyle abstracts originated by Aberjhani. Despite the similarity in style, the canvases are unique in their individual palettes with each presenting a vibrant visualization of the title. More extended background information is provided for each piece of artwork on its product page.
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Bright Skylark Newsnotes 

Books containing compelling narrative writing combined with appealing fine art by a single creative individual are rare. That makes the forthcoming nonfiction narrative collection by Aberjhani, titled "Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah" (ISBN 978-9388125956), Cyberwit.net Publishers) as well as the artwork from it featured here at Fine Art America/Pixels.com, highly collectible. In addition, the rarity makes them likely to continue increasing in value. 

The images in the book are black and white versions of color prints which may be viewed by clicking here: Art from and Inspired by Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah

Previous announcements concerning a book including art by Aberjhani stated it would be one of art and poetry titled "Incandescent Wonder," so the news regarding "Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah" took some by surprise.

The recently-posted art titled "Historic Triumph of Dr. Abigail Jordan" corresponds with the 2019 update of the story in DREAMS titled "The Bridge and the Monument: A Tale of Two Legacies." Aberjhani was in the process of completing edits for the book when he learned Dr. Jordan, who for a decade led efforts to erect the famous African-American Family Monument on River Street in Savannah, had passed in January. She is one of three people to whom the new book is dedicated.

​Pre-sales for the first limited edition of "Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah," due out May 1, 2019, are currently available for ordering here:
                 Pre-Order Dreams of the Immortal City Savannah Now

--Bright Skylark News Notes

(International) --Tackling head-on the sensitive issue of children's lives lost to extreme violence, international artist Aberjhani kicked off the 2019 art season with the launch of the provocative new series, "Kaleidoscope Moons for Children Gone Too Soon."

The series successfully combines themes of social and environmental justice with aesthetics of highly-appealing formats and styles to confront one of the most disturbing concerns of modern times. It kicked off with 3 canvases and a special series gallery posted on Fine Art America/Pixels. The gallery can be found on this page: Kaleidoscope Moons.

The posted canvases are numbered but each also has an individual title. Number 1 is "Ascension," number 2 ", and number 3 "Intensified." Product pages each carry a description of the specific artwork but also contain the following description by the artist of the new series: 

"During the holiday season some years ago, I lost a niece and nephew to extreme violence and chose to honor their lives by naming a Christmas tree after them. It was my way of gifting them the joy of which they had been robbed. The new Kaleidoscope Moons Series is an extension of that tradition in honor of children lost to such violence around the world as we move forward into 2019. It is also an expression of standing in solidarity with families who have endured these losses as they adjust to something from which they are unlikely to ever fully recover. Therefore, in lieu of a Christmas tree: the Kaleidoscope Moons Series. 

“Specifically:  The news out of Houston, Texas (USA) was particularly gruesome upon learning that 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes had been shot and killed while in a car with her family the morning before New Year's Eve. Her mother, LaPorsha Washington, was also shot but survived along with 3 other daughters. In my hometown of Savannah, Georgia, an up-and-coming 17-year-old rapper named Tyrese Carter and a 20-year-old named Jamar Davis Jr. were shot dead within 24 hours after the New Year got underway.

“The family of one gun violence victim, former university student Rebecca Foley killed 6 years ago in Savannah, announced plans to fight back. They are suing, to the tune of $35 million, the owners of the apartment complex where Ms. Foley was killed for the "inadequate security" they feel contributed to her death.

“Obviously art cannot bring back any of our loved ones lost to senseless violence. But for those who did not get their chance to establish mega-stardom and document their passage on this journey we call life, the Kaleidoscope Moons Series can testify on their behalf. It can proclaim they were here and their lives were as deserving of celebration and remembrance as anyone's."

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Bright Skylark Artnotes