Dedication
This 20th Anniversary commemoration in art is a tribute to the love and caring displayed by so many following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. It has been curated to honour those who lost their lives, their loved ones, survivors, fire, police and all involved and affected then, and forever impacted by that tragic day. We will never forget.
In 2001 the world watched the shocking events unfold - the attacks, the collapse of the World Trade Centre and rescue efforts: brave fire fighters, police, ambulance and others running into the chaos to rescue victims while other people were fleeing the scene.
In Canada, one fellow dropped what he was doing and headed for New York. Like so many of us, he joined the pilgrimage to Lower Manhattan. Some brought candles. Some brought love notes, poems, flowers and photos. He brought his sketch pad. He didn't know why, but he just felt compelled to draw all those
things we're all still having trouble putting into words.
As the artist sat quietly drawing, it so happened that tired soiled recovery workers and volunteers would gather around to see what he was doing.
Late one night, while drawing at St. Paul's Chapel, a chaplain, Thomas Taylor, looked at some of the sketches, and after a moment of reflection, came up with somewhat of an insight: "You know, these aren't only a collection of gentle drawings," he said, “they are about healing."
Excerpt from The Foreword, ‘Healing Hearts’ by Bryan Chadwick
“TWIN TOWERS”
This drawing of Lower Manhattan was done in 1998 from the 17th floor apartment of fellow Canadian, Michael Parrish. In the days following 9/11, when a police officer asked me to stop drawing from inside Ground Zero, he showed him this drawing. The officer could barely speak and said "You do what you need to do", and walked away.
“GROUND ZERO”
The unimaginable, heartbreaking experience of finding myself suddenly inside Ground Zero, drawing, was undescribable. I felt helpless and literally sensed that my hand was drawing by the virtue of God.
Healing Hearts: Canadian Artist JOHN COBURN’s
Journey from 9/11 to 2021
In the days following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, NYC officials gave acclaimed Canadian artist John Coburn rare, special access beyond the cordoned off areas to draw what he witnessed. Amid the debris and from overwhelming vantage points in and above Ground Zero, Coburn documented the unimaginable scenes
Much like a modern-day war correspondent, he interviewed those at Ground Zero: including first responders, families and key community members. With his keen eye and artistic talent, he captured the aftermath, the determination of those involved in the rescue and the spirit and passion for recovery in heart-felt drawings.
“In 2001 after the horrific attacks on September 11, I couldn’t watch it on TV anymore” says Artist John Coburn, “I made my way to Lower Manhattan and onto the premises of Ground Zero where I documented the aftermath of the love, care and support that took over the entire city. I drew everything I saw, and met the greatest people, who encouraged me and helped make “Healing Hearts” – a tribute in drawings - possible.”
Read the whole story and see the 27 John Coburn drawings
in the permanent collection of NY’s 9/11 Museum
“FIRST RESPONDERS”
Usually when I sit down to draw, I choose a subject that engages me and what is that? Architecture, street life or maybe beautiful landscapes. Inside St. Paul's Chapel there was no familiar subject matter. As painful as it was to observe, as steel burner Joe Bompartito from Long Island said "So many people have helped us through this".
“THE DAY THE WHOLE WORLD BECAME NEW YORKERS”
Maureen Basnicki, widow of Canadian Ken Basnicki who was at the Twin Towers for a work conference on September 11th, and consequently lost his life, has loaned this drawing honouring NYFD Engine 14 I gave her and Cindy Barkway (9/11 families) 19.5 years ago.
“SOME GAVE ALL”
Walking up 8th Avenue in Midtown, I discovered Engine 54, Ladder 4, 9th Battalion. Tragically, that team of heroic fire fighters lost 15 brothers from this station in rescue efforts that horrific day. The banner said it all.
“REBUILDING NEW YORK”
Inside the Salvation Army tent no one was a stranger for long. Volunteers from every country would be hard at work or recovering from rescue and recovery efforts with a coffee, a sandwich or maybe an organic salad from a local chef.
“HONOURING VOLUNTEERS”
The church, St. Paul's Chapel on Broadway in Lower Manhattan was a sanctuary for families, first responders, New Yorkers and thousands of volunteers from around the world during the 8-month clean up of Ground Zero. Built in 1766, It remained standing when the World Trade Centre collapsed behind it.
“VESEY STREET”
Walking down Vesey Street across from Ground Zero I ran into security guard John. He leaned up against his front door, looked up and said "This is where I saw it happen". A decade later, on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I went back to visit John and photographer Tim Wheeler captured the reunion.
“MEMORIAL DAY, NYC”
May 30, 2002. Although there were thousands of people at this ceremony it was silent. You could feel the tremendous energy of care, love and respect honouring the victims and the courage and sacrifice of the 9/11 rescue, recovery and relief workers. It was also a formal end to the 8 month recovery operation at Ground Zero.
“SACRED GROUND”
While drawing at Ground Zero, I would encounter many people who shared ideas on how to preserve the spirit of this sacred space. One of those people was Katie Vonlns, age 14, from Michigan, who said: "I believe that growing grass and planting trees and keeping it really beautiful would be wonderful for the families so they could feel peace around them". Based on her vision, this is what I drew.
“If your little drawings can help four people remember my son George, I think it’s worthwhile”.
— ROSEMARY CAIN
Mother of NY Firefighter George C. Cain who lost his life on September 11, 2001
“All of us at VOICES are grateful to our longtime friend John Coburn for his important contributions to our 20th Anniversary Art Exhibit. I am honoured to know John for nearly 20 years and truly touched by his pen and ink drawing in memory of our son Bradley”.
— MARY A. FETCHET
Executive Director, VOICES Centre for Resilience, New Canaan Connecticut and Mother of Bradley Fetchet; who was in his office on the 89th floor of the South Tower
“Artists are architects of change and I feel that John Coburn has been able to positively touch many and help 9/11 families rebuild their lives. John brings a smile to my face as he has been able to capture the goodness of humanity in the aftermath of the hate and horror on “that day”.
— MAUREEN BASNICKI
Widow of beloved husband, Ken Basnicki; a Canadian attending a conference at his company’s head office on the 106th floor of the North Tower
From the artist
“Through this collection of simple little drawings, I’ve tried to express people’s deep sadness and people’s fearless optimism, love and extraordinary kindness. Whether it was 20 years ago or today, I hope the families of September 11 find a little bit of healing each day”.
John Coburn, 2021