9/11 tribute oil painting on permanent display at Fall River Public Library

With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 past, there will always be a reminder of that emotional day at the Main Fall River Public Library.

A new oil painting by artist Tiago Finato was commissioned by Library Administrator Paula Costa Cullen and now hangs in the library’s main lobby. Unveiled on Sunday, “Human Emotion at a Moment in Time” took Finato more than a year from concept to creation.

“It is an interpretational canvas,” Finato said. “There is nothing direct. Notice, there (are) no officials such as police or firemen. There is no need for recognizable uniforms because they have the same emotions.”

Finato created the 6-by-7-foot art piece on linen canvas.

The painting uses many different techniques and details to highlight the tragic nature of 9/11. It starts with a patch of blue sky in the upper left corner as a reminder of that day started, before it was taken over by smoke and chaos.

The focus is on a man who has passed at the center of the painting. The people around him are diverse in their ages and ethnicities, but are bonded by the sorrowful events.

A red-robed angel is there to bring the souls to heaven.

The little girl in the painting represents the innocence of those born since the attacks. Finato used gold-colored paint around the child to signify the wealth represented by the World Trade Center.

Finato used an impressionistic style to create the “Human Emotion” painting, with bold brush strokes.

“The painting needed to show a bit more of the rough brush stokres than the classical, traditional European smooth strokes that I usually use,” Finato said. “This allows for more energy and emotion to be displayed in the painting.”

Finato, the president of the Greater Fall River Art Association, is predominantly a portrait artist and has painted the likeness of Mayor Will Flanagan. That painting hangs in Government Center.

Finato, an award-winning artist, was voted First Place People’s Choice Award Favorite Artist three times during the Bristol Independent Galleries Art Stroll. This year, Finato earned the same first place award on two occasions.

Finato’s portrait of the infamous Lizzie Borden won first place in a National Open Juried Exhibit at the Bristol Art Gallery.

Finato is represented by the Bristol Art Gallery and the Royal Gallery, both in Rhode Island. As an event winner at the Bristol Art Gallery, Finato is also featured in its “Gallery Corner."

“Human Emotion at a Moment in Time” was sponsored by BankFive, Bogle & DeAscentis PC, Borden & Remington Corp., Collins Construction Co., First Bristol Corp., Insurit Agency, Bob Karam, Michael Biszko and Alan Biszko.

“When I was contacted ... about this project, I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to get together with local business leaders and present an amazing gift to the community,” said Bill Eccles, president & CEO of BankFive. “There was no hesitation from any one of the donors when I approached them about the idea of a meaningful painting memorializing 9/11. This painting will be like no other painting at the library, as the sad events of 9/11 affected our whole country.”

A native of Brazil, Finato came to Fall River in 1999 to further his education. He resides in the city and keeps an artist studio on the third floor of the Greater Fall River Art Association, 80 Belmont St. He offers classes to new and advanced painters. Visit www.greaterfallriverartassoc.org for information.

“Human Emotion at a Moment in Time” will be on permanent display at the library, 104 N. Main St., during regular business hours.