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Australia,
Britain
and Canada
in the
Second World War
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Browse by War Art Collection
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Australia
The Australian official war art program commissioned 35 artists, of whom
three were women. At first relatively conservative artists were chosen.
However, towards the end of the war more modernist artists were being
appointed. Soldier artists - including some prisoners of war - and
civilians were among these. They covered all services and the struggle
on the home front.
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Britain
The British program hired most of the important British artists of the
day. Their works combine traditional approaches to painting with the
artists' own interpretations and experiences of the complex, diverse,
and technologically-driven conflict. Their paintings reveal an
underlying support for the war and are rarely confrontational,
critical, or violent. |
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Canada
Canada hired 32 official war artists. It also awarded independent
commissions, in particular to women artists. The resulting artworks
were intended to form a comprehensive documentary record, respectful
both of history and art, and accurate in all details. Official
instructions required each artist to produce paintings in specific
quantities and sizes. |
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