April 25th is a National Holiday in Australia, ANZAC Day.We have a dawn service and a march through the cities, with a minutes silence in memory of the Anzac soldiers and their bravery in Gallipoli during WWI. In 2001 I painted my first painting in this series only to revisit again in 2013. The first painting was created in my lounge room while watching the Anzac Parade on TV. I felt a deep connection to the stories being shared and they translated on to the canvas I was working on at the time. I didn't set out to paint a commemorative painting, it just happened. My palette consisted of colors that represent the beach, the blood shed and the bravery in Khaki's, also the light. As with a lot of my work, crosses found their way in to the picture plane. In this painting they are more deliberate. Over the years they have become more gestural and guided by the hand. Thank you to all the soldiers who risked or gave their lives for our freedom. You are not forgotten.
'Lest we Forget I' 24" x36" Oil on Canvas 2001 (Not for Sale)
In 2013 I revisited with 'Lest we Forget II' I hope at some stage to continue this series.
