1 July – 13 August 2006

Click here to view Public Program.

Sydney audiences will soon have the opportunity to see the latest travelling exhibition developed by the Australian War Memorial, Witness to war: official art and photography 1999–2003.

Witness to war is a poignant collection of the work from the Memorial’s most recent official artists and photographers. It is an exhibition that reveals not only the striking images of Australian servicemen and women in war zones throughout the world but also their personal stories.

Between 1999 & 2003 four official war artists, Rick Amor, Wendy Sharpe, Peter Churcher and Lewis Miller, along with two official photographers, David Dare Parker and Stephen Dupont, travelled to the hot spots of East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq & Solomon Islands to capture and record the service of Australian men and women on duty.  The time on the ground alongside the troops has allowed each artist & photographer to craft portfolios of work that provides unique insights into Australia’s role in these regions. They are our witnesses to war.

The locals who lived through the East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq and Solomon Islands conflicts are portrayed in moments of joy, sadness and reflection.  The resilience and positive attitude of the local people is frequently captured in the photographs and works of art displayed.

Witness to war: official art and photography 1999–2003 is organised by the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. The exhibition is funded under the Federal Government’s commemorations program, Saluting Their Service, which honours the contribution of Australia’s servicemen and women.

A series of guest talks will take place each Sunday at 3pm during the exhibition.  Regular updates at  www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

Exhibition catalogue for sale @ rrp $7.50.  Mail order welcome.
Selected images available for media use.
Contact: Leah Haynes  Media & Public Programs Coordinator
National Trust S.H. Ervin Gallery
PH: 02 9258 0150 Sunday – Wednesday  E: lhaynes@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au

 

                                                    

 

Artists and photographers featured

In 1999 the appointment of two artists to document Australia’s involvement in the East Timor INTERFET peacekeeping operations revived the tradition of appointing official war artists, established during the First World War.
Rick Amor and Wendy Sharpe provide invaluable perspectives on Australia’s peacekeeping involvement in this region.  

In January 2002, Peter Churcher was appointed to record the activities of Australia’s involvement in the ‘International Coalition Against Terrorism’. Travelling to the Middle East, he spent three weeks with the RAN aboard HMAS Kanimbla and Adelaidein the Persian Gulf and a further two weeks with the RAAF on the island of Diego Garcia. In March 2002 he completed his commission in the Middle East and Afghanistan, capturing the activities of the SAS.

Lewis Miller was appointed in March 2003 to document Australia’s involvement in the ‘Second Gulf War’ in Iraq. He spent three weeks in Qatar and Kuwait with the Australian Defence Forces in the military camps. With the RAN on HMAS Kanimbla and HMAS Anzac, he witnessed Australia’s mine-clearing activities in the Persian Gulf. In Iraq, Miller accompanied SAS on mine clearing patrols at Al Qusayr on the Al Ifziiyah Peninsula.

In April 2003 David Dare Parker was appointed by the War Memorial as its first official war photographer, documenting Australia’s participation in Iraq, covering Navy, Army and Air Force operations. Subsequently, the Stephen Dupont was also engaged as an official war photographer to record the activities of Australian peacekeepers on the Solomon Islands. 

The paintings, drawings and sketchbooks of the official war artists, along with the photographs of the official war photographers, provide a comprehensive record of Australia’s most recent involvement in war and war like operations.

 

S.H. ERVIN GALLERY
National Trust of Australia (NSW)

Location:                                            Watson Road, Observatory Hill, The Rocks, Sydney
Gallery Hours:                                   Tuesday–Sunday 11am-5pm. 
Admission fees:                                $6/$4 National Trust members, seniors & concessions.
General information:                        02 9258 1073 www.nsw.nationaltrust.org.au
Education officer:                             02 9258 0122  group bookings & school tours welcome

Public Program Sundays at 3pm - Sunday Talks are free with Gallery admission.