Zulu

Highly commended

2026
watercolour and gouache on paper
21 x 29.7 cm

Zulu depicts soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment preparing for a final approach during an amphibious infiltration. The phonetic Z, or Zulu, serves as the unit’s current official prefix.  

More broadly it offers an insight into the contemporary work of Australian servicemen and servicewomen whose common experience has become that of deploying on regional presence missions throughout the global littorals. Based on my own observations as an infantry officer, it offers an intimate view of their work, their personalised equipment, and the difficult conditions they operate in. 

It is also an effort to preserve the inspiration found in the original figure composition paintings of the Australian War Memorial’s classic war art programs and the valuable services rendered by Australia’s official war artists. In the same spirit, this painting champions the poise, professionalism and sacrifice of this generation’s front-line men and women who serve daily with quiet humility, and who are no less worthy of recognition in this medium.