The place of art in human conflicts is explored in a new exhibition in Perth featuring the work of war artists and photographers over the past 160 years.
One of a series of war-themed events organised by Culture Perth and Kinross, The Art of War features paintings, photographs and sculptures depicting everything from 19th century British Army skirmishes through to the wars in Bosnia and Afghanistan, all through the eyes people who witnessed war first-hand.
While some were commissioned as official war artists, other artists captured their experiences of conflict while on active service.
The exhibition includes work by figurative painter Peter Howson, renowned for his portrayals of Bosnia, Sir Muirhead Bone who was the UK’s first official war artist and became a household name, Tim Hetherington, the reportage photographer and filmmaker who was killed in a mortar attack in Libya, and painter Joyce Cairns, a Dundee-based artist influenced by the genocide in Bosnia.
The Art of War forms the beginning of Perth and Kinross Remembers, a five-month series of exhibitions and events.
It includes two touring exhibitions in collaboration with National Museums of Scotland and Perth’s Black Watch Museum. A series of events will take place during the exhibitions including an exhibition tour led by curator Amy Waugh on November 30 from 1pm to 1.30pm as part of the museum’s monthly lunchtime talk series.
Other events include an opportunity for visitors to find out the secrets behind Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of War Horse and how it was made, at a talk by lead historical advisor Andy Robertshaw on Saturday November 12 at 2pm. Also, there will be a film showing of the Battle of the Somme with narration by Andy Robertshaw on Friday November 11 at 7.30pm.
Rhona Rodger, senior collections officer (art) with Culture Perth and Kinross, said: “The Art of War features some of the UK’s, and particularly Scotland’s, finest artists.
“It is timely not only because Remembrance Day is approaching in the coming weeks but, sadly, because conflict is all too present in the world today.
“Perth and Kinross Remembers includes an exciting line-up of talks and exhibitions over the coming months, which we hope will help the public gain a unique perspective on war and its place both in history and in art.”
The Art of War runs until February 25 at Perth Museum and Art Gallery.
