Unique exhibition from Military Art Program Australia
A unique exhibition of artworks from current and former serving defence personnel will be open – with some works available for sale – on the weekend of 25-26 June only at Wilkinson’s Gallery, Claremont Showgrounds.
More than 100 works from participants in the Military Art Program Australia (MAPA), including representatives of Army (including SASR), Navy and Air Force, feature portraits, landscapes, abstracts and military war dogs, wildlife and other military and non-military subjects, a variety of sculptures and other works.
Their pieces will be exhibited alongside a variety of works from local and interstate artists and illustrators who have worked with MAPA’s participants. They include local Western Australian military artists, Noel Barnes and Ian Coate, Sydney-based military artists, Caroline McGregor, and Archibald Prize finalist and Black Swan Portraiture People’s Choice winner, Jodi Daley.
The MAPA Outcome Art Exhibition and the visiting artists program is supported by national property group, Peet Limited, which last year celebrated its 120th anniversary year and marked the milestone by continuing the legacy of its founder, James Thomas Peet, who was a strong supporter of defence personnel and their families through the Boer War and the World Wars of 1914-18 and 1939-45.
Peet will also be working with Military Art Program Australia to explore opportunities to promote its work and potentially undertake a public art project in one of its new communities. The Military Art Program recently completed public art installations at Gunners Cottages in Fremantle – a restoration project by Defence Housing Australia to restore 10 century-old cottages and create six new homes, for serving Defence members and their families.
The Military Art Program provides a creative art program with physical and mental benefits for current and former military personnel some who may be facing issues as a result of their military service, including post-traumatic stress disorder and other challenges.
Military Art Program founder and director, Leza Howie, herself the wife of a soldier, said the support – and demand – for the program had been tremendous.
“We are extremely grateful to those teaching artists over the past six months, who have taught and inspired our military members. Our Program continues to grow in stature and we are incredibly thankful to you all for your part in our success”.
“The feedback from participants has been a huge motivation – some have told us immersing themselves in art has been more beneficial than drugs and counselling,” she said. “We acknowledge the amazing talent of our program artists and those who work behind the scenes who donate time to the program for the benefit of our military men and women – and the support of Peet Limited which assists in bringing such a high-calibre of interstate artists to Western Australia and in staging our first annual exhibition.”
Peet Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Brendan Gore, said it was an honour to provide encouragement and practical assistance to a vitally important organisation that had already made such an important difference in the lives of current and former defence personnel.
“Peet is proud to be continuing the legacy of our founder with such an innovative and committed group,” he said. “We hope hundreds of people turn out for this very special art exhibition – and add to their collections with one of the works for sale over the weekend of 25-26 June.”