Proceeds of limited edition Ben Quilty prints to be donated

Award-winning Australian artist Ben Quilty and the Australian War Memorial are generously donating to the charity Soldier On the proceeds of limited edition prints of some of Quilty’s artworks from Afghanistan.

The Australian War Memorial commissioned Ben Quilty as an official war artist in Afghanistan in 2011 to interpret the experiences of Australian Defence Force personnel.

The limited edition prints are part of his work currently touring Australia in an exhibition titled Ben Quilty: after Afghanistan.

The limited edition print, titled Trooper Luke Korman, is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, is signed by the artist, the Director of the Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson, and by the soldier depicted in the painting, Trooper Luke Korman. The artwork Captain S after Afghanistan, is available as a poster only.

The prints depict Quilty’s use of dramatic symbols to represent the emotional weight and the sense of emptiness he felt some soldiers brought home with them after serving in Afghanistan.

“I had such extreme feelings about the smell, sound, emotions of being in Afghanistan. I wanted to convey this in my artworks,” Ben Quilty said.

The CEO of Soldier On, John Bale, said Quilty’s works had done much to raise awareness of the plight of Australians in war service.

“Ben Quilty’s artwork captures a side to Australia’s servicemen and women that isn’t often exposed. His ability to share the stories of our wounded is both effective and emotive, allowing people of different backgrounds to understand the struggles they face.

“In purchasing these special prints, people will help raise funds for Soldier On to assist our wounded and also increase public awareness of the personal battles of individuals who have served our country,” Bale said.

At the special request of the artist, the Australian War Memorial is coordinating the printing and sale of the prints, with proceeds from the sales being donated to the organisation Soldier On. Purchasing enquiries can be directed to esales@awm.gov.au, or you can purchase in shop or online at www.awm.gov.au/shop