Portrait of Sergeant Major Samuel Thomas Murphy

Accession Number ART94485
Collection type Art
Object type Assemblage
Physical description 14 etched and treated zinc plates, and 14 treated pieces of paper
Maker Kirkland, Murray
Place made Australia: Australian Capital Territory, Canberra
Date made 1998
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright
Description

Portrait of Sergeant Major Samuel Thomas Murphy is an assemblage of a large zinc-plate portrait and a 27page zinc-plate and paper artist's book. It is a commemorative recreation of the war service of Samuel Thomas Murphy who was a Sergeant Major cook from the First Battalion of the AIF. He was blinded during the battle of Lone Pine and sent home.

The artist was motivated by the idea that the scale of horror and destruction of the First World War is still largely incomprehensible to contemporary audiences. He believes that it is only through the recreation of individual experience that one can begin to appreciate their sacrifice.

The artist would like to acknowledge the Army History Research Unit for grant assistance.

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