AWM shares wartime experiences
Travelling art exhibition in Canberra for limited viewing

Life and death: Tragic Landscape, by Alex Colville, in the WWII art exhibition at the AWM.

Team work: Hull Riveting, by Frederick B. Taylor.

By Cpl Cameron Jamieson

THREE years of collaboration between the Australian War Memorial, the Canadian War Museum and the Imperial War Museum has created a unique art exhibition that reflects the joint World War II experiences of Commonwealth warriors and civilians.

The end: Back Home, by Sali Herman.

Women’s work: (bottom left) Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breach Ring, by Dame Laura K.

Shared Experience; Art and War – Australia, Britain and Canada in the Second World War, has already been viewed by 110,000 people at the new Canadian War Museum. It will be on display at the Australian War Memorial until February 26 and then it will move to the Imperial War Museum in London.

The exhibition brings together nearly 100 of the greatest WWII art pieces held by the museums, and includes works by Stella Bowen, Russell Drysdale, Alex Colville and Paul Nash. It is divided into seven themes that explore the topics of battle, military service, civilian work, captivity, casualties, coming home and leisure.

Director and CEO of the Canadian War Museum Joe Geurts said the exhibition demonstrated that war was not a singular nation’s experience. “It is very much a shared experience,” he said. “Our display is a true tribute to WWII.”

Mr Guerts said he was particularly impressed with how the exhibition had proven to be a bridge between the generations.

“Our experience in Canada has shown it allows grandfathers and grandmothers to connect with their grandchildren,” he said. “It provides a very soft and safe place for them to talk about their experiences.”