
BEREA, Ohio – An original painting of a WWII B-17 Superfortress Bomber created by David Jakupca, a Berea resident, U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran and environmental artist, has become a permanent exhibit at Champaign Aviation Museum in Urbana.
Originally part of Jakupca’s ARK (Architektur Recycled Kulturstall) Eco-Museum and gallery on Karen Drive in Berea, the painting, named ‘MORNIN ‘MERGENCY, captures the disruption of a pastoral scene by a plummeting U.S. warplane.
Jakupca, 73, recently took a break while working in his studio to talk about the painting.
He said he donated the piece to the museum to honor Dr. Michael Hasman of the Parma VA Outpatient Clinic, and also to recognize all medical personnel treating air crews throughout all of the Armed Forces.
“I want to get the word out for generations to come about what happens to air crews and the battles these guys fought,” Jakupca said, going on to mention his peace movement involvement, as well as his efforts in the sustainable art movement.
“It’s a war painting, but … what you’re trying to do is eliminate the wars. At the same time, you have to remember these people, our forefathers, fought and died to get us where we are.
“We need to remember that and take it to the next generation.”
He acknowledged his painting “is a little bit different” from what people might expect.
“It’s kind of unusual to have an American bomber on fire,” Jakupca explained. “Usually war paintings depict it the other way around (with the enemy’s plane in trouble).
“I wanted to show the juxtaposition of the serene mountain area and how all of a sudden, within seconds, this heavy bomber comes crashing down.”
With ‘MORNIN ‘MERGENCY, his mission appears to have been accomplished.
“It’s to wake people up and let them know how fast things can change in your life,” he said, going on to describe peace as “an ongoing process.”
“Every day is a beginning.”
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