Art of War: From Crimea to Afghanistan
Past exhibition
Overview
Art of War: From Crimea to Afghanistan explores the complex genre of war art. The exhibition brings together a selection of works depicting scenes of conflict from as early as the Crimean War (October 1853 – February 1856) through to later works, produced during the war in Afghanistan (2001 – present). Art was, and still is today, used as a record keeper, a propaganda tool, a therapeutic tool, a tool for remembrance and as a means to glorify warfare. This expansive genre not only sheds light on the tremendous courage and ingenuity of soldiers and civilians at the front, but it also highlights the importance of art in a world besieged by war.
This unique exhibition includes artworks created by official New Zealand war artists, civilians, service personnel, artists and government authorities of the day. The artworks that were created during the past one hundred and sixty years of warfare varied greatly in form, subject matter and medium. The artworks in this exhibition range from war posters, postcards, pencil sketches, large oils on canvas, works created in the Eastern front trenches, Gallipoli paintings, bronze sculptures and pen and ink drawings depicting New Zealand’s involvement in Afghanistan.
The Art of War explores two distinct genres of war art, officially commissioned works and unauthorized works. The very purpose of war art was, and still is today, the remembrance of an event and, to that end, the memorialization of a specific time within New Zealand and International cultural history.
This unique exhibition includes artworks created by official New Zealand war artists, civilians, service personnel, artists and government authorities of the day. The artworks that were created during the past one hundred and sixty years of warfare varied greatly in form, subject matter and medium. The artworks in this exhibition range from war posters, postcards, pencil sketches, large oils on canvas, works created in the Eastern front trenches, Gallipoli paintings, bronze sculptures and pen and ink drawings depicting New Zealand’s involvement in Afghanistan.
The Art of War explores two distinct genres of war art, officially commissioned works and unauthorized works. The very purpose of war art was, and still is today, the remembrance of an event and, to that end, the memorialization of a specific time within New Zealand and International cultural history.