Curtis McGrath - Walking Under the Stars
Curtis McGrath - Walking Under the Stars
Studio portrait of Curtis McGrath. This is one in a series of photographs titled 'Walking under the stars' by Peter Brew-Bevan. AWM2018.622.5.1
About the ‘Walking Under the Stars Collection’
'Walking under the stars' by Peter Brew-Bevan, is a series which highlights modern veterans, both men and women who, despite wounds, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other challenges, have become role models. Whether physically or psychologically wounded (or, in most instances, both), they have overcome numerous obstacles, and through their work and achievements are a source of hope and inspiration for the veteran community and the wider public.
In 2018, the Australian War Memorial commissioned Peter Brew-Bevan to photograph contemporary veterans. One of the portraits was of Curtis McGrath, who enlisted in the Australian Army in 2006 at the age of 18. In 2012, working as a combat engineer, McGrath lost both legs when he stood on an improvised explosive device. Within half an hour, he was joking about becoming a paralympian. McGrath has since won gold medals at the 2016 Invictus Games, the 2016 Paralympics and the 2016 ICF Paracanoe World Championships.
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'I've been very lucky'
Just 30 minutes after losing both his legs in a horrific blast in Afghanistan, Curtis McGrath was lying on a stretcher joking to his mates that they would see him at the Paralympics one day.
In Canberra
In Canberra is a project celebrating the cultural holdings of Australia. It is about unearthing, object by object, the vast collection held in Canberra on Australia’s behalf.
Visit the In Canberra website: https://incanberra.schwartzmedia.com.au/