Sunday 2 August 2009

Art and Conflict Exhibition


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3834863/Art-and-Conflict-Exhibition.html
For the first time armed forces veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have allowed work from their Art Therapy sessions to be exhibited to the public.

By Alastair Good
Published: 7:00PM GMT 18 Dec 2008

The work is a unique insight into the mind and emotions of those who have served our country and come home with mental health problems.
The exhibition is at the Together gallery, an artspace in the east of London which was set up in 2006 to showcase artwork made by artists working in the mental health area. The drawings, paintings, sculptures and poems produced by the veterans to express their emotions show a shockingly honest account of how they have felt trapped and betrayed by their own emotions and thoughts upon returning home from war.



The works express feelings of inadequacy and dependency, feelings that are particularly hard to manage for men and women who have been used to looking after themselves in the most demanding situations. Untitled by Nick White, depicts a slashed wrist along with the statement "Why does it always come down to money?" The accompanying artists note says "Frustration. Having to ask for assistance in order to manage makes you feel useless with no control over your own future."
All the artworks have these notes, some long and some short but all very expressive and moving. Veteran Eddie Gray writes: "At times I felt as if I would be doing everyone a favour by going somewhere quiet and dropping dead (at the time of writing I am still alive, I think)" These sorts of statements and the artwork they accompany reveal a sense of frustration and despair at the situation these veterans find themselves in when they return home from war unable to process the experiences they have had.
One of the most striking works is a charcoal sketch of a man sitting on a bed in a darkened room with what looks like broken bottles littering the floor in front of him. Titled Ghosts of the past it has been made by Peter Ormes who spent eight years in the army between 1990-98. You can also see a note by the open door, perhaps an apology or explanation to a wife and family for the confusing and frightening emotions and behavior that Ormes has exhibited since his return.
Viewing this exhibition can be a challenging and sometimes upsetting experience but there can be no doubt that those who do make the effort to go and see it will come away with a much better understanding of the effect that taking a country to war can have on those we send to fight it.
Art and Conflict: An exhibition of work created by Veterans is showing at Together Gallery, 12 Old Street, London until 16 January 2009.

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