Art in Conflict

An Australian War Memorial touring exhibition

Art in Conflict is a new touring exhibition of contemporary art from the collection of the Australian War Memorial. Three major new bodies of work debut in this exhibition: two recent official war art commissions – Susan Norrie (Iraq, 2016) and Megan Cope (Middle East, 2017) – and a landmark commemorative work by Angelica Mesiti.

Art in Conflict is a showcase of diverse responses to war, including more than 70 paintings, drawings, films, prints, photography and sculptures. Leading Australian artists are represented, such as Khadim Ali, Rushdi Anwar, eX de Medici, Denise Green, Richard Lewer, Mike Parr and Ben Quilty. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, a collection priority for the Memorial in recent years, is featured, with works by Tony Albert, Paddy Bedford, Robert Campbell Jr, Michael Cook, Shirley Macnamara and Betty Muffler.

Contemporary artists’ responses to conflict bring to light untold stories, reveal neglected histories and deepen our understanding of Australia’s experience of conflict.

Image: Robert Campbell Jr, The Past & Present of 200 years, 1986, acrylic on canvas, 91.5 x 121.7cm, AWM2020.721.1