Australian War Memorial official war artists Ben Quilty and Shaun Gladwell exhibit together for the first time

The Director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson, will on Friday night open an exhibition by official war artists Ben Quilty and Shaun Gladwell at the John Curtin Gallery in Perth, Western Australia.

It is the first time Ben Quilty’s: after Afghanistan and Shaun Gladwell: Afghanistan have been exhibited together in the one venue.

Commissioned by the Memorial, both artists travelled to Afghanistan on a tour of duty capturing the Australian experience of war. Quilty and Gladwell join a long line of distinguished artists, beginning with those such as George Lambert and Arthur Streeton who were commissioned during the First World War.

The works by both Quilty and Gladwell provide new perspectives on the nature of conflict within the context of war in Afghanistan. They represent both the visceral experiences of military service and the day-to-day realities for many Australian Defence personnel.

The Director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson, says that this is the first time these two commissioned works have been presented together, giving audiences a powerful insight into Australian military service in Afghanistan.

“The work in these two exhibitions provides a rich understanding of the Afghanistan conflict. It highlights the consequences of war for individual Australian soldiers; it explores the use of digital imagery in this contemporary conflict; and it reflects upon the service, sacrifice and achievements of the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who served in Afghanistan,” Dr Nelson said.

“The Memorial is very proud to present together two of Australia’s most talented and respected artists. This is a very important collection of works, which explore a major historical event that resonates throughout the world and will continue to do so for years to come.”

Australian War Memorial art curator Laura Webster noted the juxtaposition of the two exhibitions: “These exhibitions are visually very different. Shaun Gladwell’s works are measured and detached, while Ben Quilty’s are to be read as highly expressive and raw. However, there are many affinities between the artists, including an interest in the soldier’s physicality and the masculine and youth cultures central to the Australian army.”

Ben Quilty’s: after Afghanistan and Shaun Gladwell: Afghanistan are on show at the John Curtin Gallery until 14 September 2014.