Artists of the Great War is a collaboration between the National Gallery of Australia, and the Australian National University (NGA). It has been curated by David Hansen with contributions from students of the Centre of Art History and Theory.
The display features loans from the Australian War Memorial and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, alongside works from the NGA collection.The exhibition depicts artists’ perception of the Great War through their sketches, finished paintings, watercolours, drawings, prints, posters, books, magazines, and commemorative medal.
The Great War remains Australia’s conflict in terms of casualties – of the 416,809 men who enlisted over 60,000 were killed and a 156,000 were injured.
With unprecedented numbers of young soldiers injured, the role of the Army medical corps and the Australian Army Nursing Service was crucial. Of the artists represented in this exhibition, Rupert Bunny, George Coates, Tom Roberts and Arthur Stretton served as hospital orderlies. John Longstaff painted a posthumous portrait of his son Jack, killed in action.
The exhibition runs until June 17 at the National Gallery Of Australia.
Featured pic – George Lambert – Balcony of Troopers Ward
