Your Friend the Enemy Special Edition
After the artists flew out from Turkey in 2014 the project had only just begun. What was initially inspired by the discovery of Idris Murphy’s grandfather’s letters from the First World War, has blossomed into a nationally touring exhibition opening in Sydney and Canberra this April, two Gala dinners and a Your Friend the Enemy Special Edition to commemorate the spirit of the Anzac Centenary this year.
The Special Edition, published by Artist Profile and edited by prominent art critic John McDonald, is not your usual Artist Profile Issue. Rather it focusses on a poignant commemoration of the Anzac memory, and its enduring relevance to Australians as we mark 100 years.
A war that shaped both Australia and New Zealand’s national history irrevocably, there was a shared intrigue for the 16 Australian and New Zealand artists to visit Gallipoli. Invited artists, writers, filmmakers and historians travelled to Turkey in April and May 2014, responding to a distant landscape that holds so many close connections and deep symbolism for both countries.
A contemporary perspective that explores the significance of the Anzac Centenary, the Special Edition includes personal insights into the Gallipoli trip by writer James Compton, a foreword by the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Brendan Nelson, as well as essays from John McDonald and Anzac Historian Brad Manera who both attended the 2014 trip.
The Special Edition reflects upon the moving trip and its impact upon each artist, with individual profiles following them from the field and back into the studio to make their diverse works. The end result is a thoughtful reflection and active remembrance for those who have fought and served in all wars, conflicts and peace operations.
Click here to purchase your copy of Your Friend the Enemy.
Tickets to the Your Friend the Enemy Sydney Gala Dinner are available online.
Exhibition dates:
ANU Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra
10 April to 17 May, 2015 (curated by Terence Maloon)
S. H. Ervin Gallery, Sydney
17 April to 24 May 2015
(curated by John McDonald)
Bathurst Regional Art Gallery (BRAG)
19 June to 2 August, 2015
PATAKA Art + Museum, New Zealand
29 November 2015 to February, 2016
2 Trackbacks
[…] article is published in the Artist Profile Special Edition: Your Friend the Enemy. To purchase your copy visit […]
[…] article is published in the Artist Profile Special Edition: Your Friend the Enemy. To purchase your copy […]
In this preview of the Your Friend the Enemy documentary, meet some of the artists involved as they first encounter the surrounds of Gallipoli.
Including your local newsagent, you can also purchase the Your Friend the Enemy Special Edition at select Art Gallery shops listed here.
In commemoration of the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign this year, Your Friend the Enemy curated by John McDonald, is opening at S.H. Ervin Gallery.
As we near the launch of the Your Friend the Enemy exhibitions, we look back to the personal links that inspired Your Friend the Enemy.
For artist Idris Murphy The Lost Diggers, accompanied by a show at the State Library held personal connections to the ANZAC legend.
Despite its geographical distance from Australia, Gallipoli holds great relevance and connection to contemporary Australian history. Linked by personal stories and histories to the battles...
After three days straddling the Golden Horn, there is a sense of itchy feet; artists eager to get into the field, but at the same...
Deirdre Bean • Elisabeth Cummings • Steve Lopes • Guy Maestri • Euan Macleod • Idris Murphy • Michael Nock • Peter O’Doherty • Susan...
Deirdre's watercolour paintings reveal the beautiful forms that can be found within nature.
Cummings works quietly and consistently. Her work, while influenced by landscape,her process is led by intuition.
Steve Lopes is a painter and printmaker known for his figurative landscape works.
Macleod produces dark, expressive landscape paintings
Maestri’s work documents the many journeys he has made across the country and the experience of the Australian landscape.
Your Friend the Enemy – the title of this exhibition – is inspired by a recent discovery of 160 letters written by grandfather Charles Idris...
Michael Nock is a practicing artist primarily focusing on oil painting, his works are imbued with the deep emotion that is etched into the landscape.
Peter O'Doherty's paintings are tonal assemblages of oblique geometric detail imbued with dense shadow and vivid Australian light.
Susan O’Doherty is a mixed media artist whose work ranges from large abstract paintings through to small mixed media assemblages as well as acrylic portraits.
Holding a personal connection to the trip, New Zealand artist Stanley Palmer’s Father fought at Gallipoli.
Travelling informs the work of respected Australian contemporary painter Amanda Penrose Hart.
The landscape has always been Robba's muse, but in this expedition the meaning goes beyond the surface of the painting.
Earthy tones and layered washes result in the vibrant flowing landscapes by Luke Scibberas.