Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602
Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA085
Thursday 1 October 2009
AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL APPOINTS OFFICIAL ARTIST
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin, today announced the appointment by the
Australian War Memorial of Shaun Gladwell as the latest Official Artist to cover the war in
Afghanistan.
“With Australian forces committed operationally overseas, it is important that their experiences
are captured by leading artists and photographers.”
“Over the years, the Australian War Memorial has commissioned works by many official artists
and these give an insight into the Australian experience of war,” Mr Griffin said.
“Shaun Gladwell’s work will add to the Memorial’s collection, continuing the tradition of official
artists since the First World War.
“The Australian War Memorial has a large and diverse collection which continues to grow with
Australia’s involvement in recent peacekeeping operations and the conflicts in Iraq and
Afghanistan,” Mr Griffin said.
Travelling during October, Shaun Gladwell will be accompanied by Nick Fletcher, a curator with
the Memorial, who will look for significant items that may be added to the Memorial’s broader
collection.
Mr Gladwell has been commissioned to create a body of work that includes video and
photography which will become part of the national collection once completed.
A critically acclaimed artist, Mr Gladwell’s work explores personal history, memory and
contemporary cultural phenomena through photography, performance, painting and sculpture.
He is currently representing Australia in the 2009 Venice Biennale.
The visit is part of the Memorial’s ongoing collecting and official art programs, and was arranged
with the assistance of the Australian Defence Force.
Further information:
Minister Griffin’s Office: Sasha Nimmo
0437683109
Australian War Memorial:
(02) 6243 4575
0409 600 038
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