Mirabad

As part of being exhibited for the inaugural Napier Waller Art Prize exhibition (2018), Johnston provided the following artist statement about his work:

"Mirabad is a notorious and ancient river valley in Afghanistan’s Uruzgan province. The Tiri River carves through the valley at the base of the Hindu Kush, where melting snows nourish fields of crimson opium poppies. The Taliban, aided by impoverished farmers, would bury IEDs on the raised paths between irrigated rows. In the local Pashtun these devices were called “little flowers”.

"This leadlight window has been faithfully created using only broken shards of cathedral glass. The glass has been shattered, not cut – the window is imperfect, still sharp to the touch, but stronger and more beautiful in the broken places." (Christopher Johnston, 2018).

The window is intended for display with a brief video clip, featuring music by the artist. This can be found at: https://vimeo.com/279362164 or by requesting a copy of AWM2018.1271.1.2 to the Art Section or E-Sales teams.

'Mirabad' by artist and current serviceman Christopher Johnston was judged highly commended as part of the Memorial's 2018 Napier Waller Art Prize. Presented in partnership with Thales Australia, the University of Canberra and The Road Home, the Napier Waller Art Prize aims to promote artistic excellence, the healing potential of art for military personnel, and raise a broader awareness of the impact of service on the individual. In its inaugural year, the Napier Waller Art Prize attracted over 100 entries.