Brushes with War is a powerful and emotive insight into the experience of soldiers from World War I through the drawings and paintings they created. Featuring original artworks by German, Austrian, French, Belgian, British, American, Canadian, Australian and Russian soldier-artists, the exhibition provides an authentic, uncensored account of the experience of ordinary soldiers.
Image: Rats (1916), F.J. Mears, British; (c) Joel R. Parkinson, World War History & Art Museum
Brushes with War is a powerful and emotive insight into the experience of soldiers from World War I through the drawings and paintings they created. Featuring original artworks by German, Austrian, French, Belgian, British, American, Canadian, Australian and Russian soldier-artists, the exhibition provides an authentic, uncensored account of the experience of ordinary soldiers.
Rats (1916), F.J. Mears, British; (c) Joel R. Parkinson, World War History & Art Museum
It offers clear glimpses into World War I through the eyes of the men who actually fought. Among the artists are those who fought in combat, were wounded in action, taken prisoner, and survived aerial dogfights. It depicts the patriotic optimism in the early stages of war, to the hardship, monotony and dark humour of daily life in the trenches.
Their perspectives are expressive yet independent of official censorship and free from the embellishment of popular propaganda.
Joel Parkinson at Kelvingrove Museum, photo source Watchmesee
Rainbow Machine Gunners 1918 John Geiszel. ©Joel R. Parkinson, World War History & Art Museum
As a result, the art in this exhibition is quite distinct from the more familiar official and illustrative art of the time. The paintings and drawings by these soldier-artists, all conveyed in varying artistic styles, also capture insights, moods, ideas, and motifs missed by photographers and observers of the war.
20cm Luft Mortar, 1917 Heinz Pinggera, Austrian. © Joel R. Parkinson, World War History & Art Museum
A truly impactful exhibition that marks the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1.
Exhibition
Brushes With War: Art From The Frontline WWI 14-18
Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow
Until 6 January 2019
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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