Plane crash into the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001

Simon Gende is a contemporary artist from Papua New Guinea (PNG) whose practice focuses on international events and the social and political issues that frame them. His interest in Australia is driven by the relationship he feels exists between PNG and Australia that has been forged by wartime. He commented: “Australian soldiers and PNG soldiers always fight together in World War 2 and in Bougainville and plenty other places. Australian soldiers are good friends for PNG so I get sad when I hear they are killed in Afghanistan. They do a good job keeping Australia and PNG safe.”

This painting depicting planes crashing into the Twin Towers on September 11 2001 (2013) is a revisionist history of the events of September 11, when two commercial airliners crashed into the World Trade Centre in New York. The work translates them into a Papuan context, replacing the Twin Towers with local architectural structures and the cityscape with a village scene from the highlands of PNG. It provides important commentary on the significance of the event worldwide, including on nations far removed from the international stage.

Gende's paintings provide a contemporary perspective on how Australia’s involvement in Afghanistan is seen by our neighbouring country. This work 'Plane crash into the Twin Towers' on September 11 2001 examines the origins of the conflict while another of Gende's paintings in the collection 'Australian Soldiers killed in Afghanistan' (ART96125) commemorates the Australian loss of life. Collectively both provide a strong counterpoint to the Memorial’s representation of contemporary conflicts from an Australian perspective. They offer a unique insight into how the Australian Defence Force is seen through the international lens of our neighbouring country and previous ally Papua New Guinea.