World War 1 Soldiers - Artwork Donation
Donation protected
Over a two year period and due to a special interest in World War 1,
I have painted 19 portraits of soldiers who were awarded the Victoria Cross, plus Sir John Monash for his military service in WW1.
The subjects were selected from the archives available at the War Memorial in Canberra Australia and copyright had expired.
As a reference for each painting, I used photographs taken when the soldiers enlisted.
Based on the quality of the photograph (considering they were taken 100 years ago), the artwork was kept as accurate as possible to the original.
Black oil was the only medium used to maintain the image of the time and the paintings are on canvass board.
All the paintings were professionally framed and under each subject (within the frame) is a brief profile of the individual concerned.
The objective of the profile was to put a name to the face in honour of just some of the thousands of young men who did not return.
The portraits are framed under glass and the size of the frame is 150cm x 475cm.
Since the collection was completed, it has been displayed for up two weeks in various locations in Perth Western Australia for public interest during the ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day period.
I am not a professional artist and have never tried to sell the collection it was a privilege to create it.
As I would have liked the collection to have been located at a permanent base, it was offered as donation to the L’Ecole Victoria School, Villers-Bretonneux France.
The school has a Museum dedicated to Australia and the soldiers who gave their lives that others may live
I am delighted to advise the board members of the Mus’ee Franco-Australien Association France in charge of the Museum, have gratefully accepted my donation.
During the two years that I painted the portraits, I was employed and the materials plus professional framing (at the time) cost more than $5,000.
Now that I am retired, it is necessary for me to seek funding not only for the shipping cost to France but also (if possible) to give me the opportunity to visit the Mus’ee Franco-Australien and formally present the collection.
Ultimately my intention is for the museum to receive the collection as soon as possible before ANZAC Day 25 April 2020.
If I am fortunate to exceed the amount required (approx. $2,000) for shipment to France, it would contribute towards my travel cost to formally present the collection at the museum.
Any additional funding would be forwarded to “Soldier On”, an excellent organisation that cares for returned service men and women.
Any donation would be very much appreciated.
You Can View the full collection on my website barrywatkins1.wixsite.com/ww1soldiers
Barry Watkins
I have painted 19 portraits of soldiers who were awarded the Victoria Cross, plus Sir John Monash for his military service in WW1.
The subjects were selected from the archives available at the War Memorial in Canberra Australia and copyright had expired.
As a reference for each painting, I used photographs taken when the soldiers enlisted.
Based on the quality of the photograph (considering they were taken 100 years ago), the artwork was kept as accurate as possible to the original.
Black oil was the only medium used to maintain the image of the time and the paintings are on canvass board.
All the paintings were professionally framed and under each subject (within the frame) is a brief profile of the individual concerned.
The objective of the profile was to put a name to the face in honour of just some of the thousands of young men who did not return.
The portraits are framed under glass and the size of the frame is 150cm x 475cm.
Since the collection was completed, it has been displayed for up two weeks in various locations in Perth Western Australia for public interest during the ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day period.
I am not a professional artist and have never tried to sell the collection it was a privilege to create it.
As I would have liked the collection to have been located at a permanent base, it was offered as donation to the L’Ecole Victoria School, Villers-Bretonneux France.
The school has a Museum dedicated to Australia and the soldiers who gave their lives that others may live
I am delighted to advise the board members of the Mus’ee Franco-Australien Association France in charge of the Museum, have gratefully accepted my donation.
During the two years that I painted the portraits, I was employed and the materials plus professional framing (at the time) cost more than $5,000.
Now that I am retired, it is necessary for me to seek funding not only for the shipping cost to France but also (if possible) to give me the opportunity to visit the Mus’ee Franco-Australien and formally present the collection.
Ultimately my intention is for the museum to receive the collection as soon as possible before ANZAC Day 25 April 2020.
If I am fortunate to exceed the amount required (approx. $2,000) for shipment to France, it would contribute towards my travel cost to formally present the collection at the museum.
Any additional funding would be forwarded to “Soldier On”, an excellent organisation that cares for returned service men and women.
Any donation would be very much appreciated.
You Can View the full collection on my website barrywatkins1.wixsite.com/ww1soldiers
Barry Watkins
Organizer
Barry Watkins
Organizer
Burswood, WA