Mount Victoria artist Tim K Jones has been selected for the prestigious 2016 Gallipoli Art Competition with an oil painting inspired by a Digger’s poem written in the 1920s on Poppy Day (Remembrance Day).
Written by a Western Australian Digger, A.I.G. Irving’s poem laments the suffering and lives sacrificed in securing freedom for future generations.
Irving is the grandfather of the artist’s friend and Blue Mountains identity, Guy Weller, also popularly known as Mr Pickwick of the bookshop fame. The painting is based around the art deco Anzac monument at Memorial Park, Mount Victoria which celebrates its centenary this year.
It will be exhibited at The Gallipoli Memorial Club, Loftus Street, Sydney from April 20-19 (excepting Anzac Day) with the artist donating a limited edition print to the local Blackheath-Mt. Victoria RSL Sub-branch which will be displayed at their premises, and upcoming Mt Victoria Monument Centenary celebrations on the June 4.
Mr Jones will have a solo exhibition from May 31 until June 5 at Gallery One88 Katoomba. His artwork can be viewed there and at Macarthurs Arcade, both in Katoomba Street, Katoomba.
Following is the Artist’s Statement that is displayed with the painting at the exhibition, interestingly it echoes the sentiments of your recent article on the ANZAC Day March.
“The painting and the poem highlight suffering and loss with the symbols of floral tribute,” said Mr Jones.
“The veterans can be seen in a wheelchair, leaning on a corner post to ease an aching stump. The sulphur crested cockatoo screeches from a tree top angry as their morning grass seed is trampled by the crowd. A single white feather flutters to the ground.
And in the distance is my grandfather, shot through the chest at Gallipoli, Light Horse, trudging up the hill with his thoroughbred to a training track. He wanted no part of it - couldn’t see the fuss of Anzac day when he struggled to get a fractional pension from the DoD. Let’s not treat our service people of recent conflicts the same way.”
