Reflections on War
Sydney Carline, The Trails of War, 1919 (Purchased by the Museums & Galleries Commission and Friends of York Art
Exhibition: Reflections on War
Venue: York Art Gallery
Star-rating: ****
Reflections on War comes at a fitting time; Britain is still bleeding in Afghanistan and is still angered by the aftermath of that illegal war in Iraq. This exhibition is more than nod towards the present ubiquity of impassioned pacifism and heartfelt duty towards the ‘boys’. This small exhibition captures this contemporary spirit through powerful and personal pieces of true art, sorrowful letters and poems, and well-researched historical background. It makes no pretension to a grand narrative. Instead it simply displays a variety of individual expressions of war in an intimate yet almost penitent manner.
Two pieces dominate the single display room: a portrait and a seascape. The portrait of Matron Effie Townend, of the HMHS Somersetshire, harmonises gracefully with the contemporary chorus. Her oil-painted red nurse’s cape, several proudly-worn medals, and her moist, life-like eyes quiet the viewer into that silent and sombre state of remembrance, which only contemplation of unimaginable horror may produce. It is in this state which the exhibition must be viewed: while I was present, even groups of viewers spoke in voices hushed in respect or silenced in attempted disbelief.
Accompanying the paintings, sketches, cartoons, lithographs and photographs are poems, documents and belongings which have an intimate connection to the artworks displayed. For instance, Townend’s testimony of her heroic eleven-hour rescue under siege of 542 injured soldiers in Libya is shown, as is her Royal Red Cross, her faded nurse’s cape, and six other medals of service.
Paul Nash’s White Sea (1925-37) is a fantastic addition. Compared to his surrealist war illustration, this is somehow more despairing and desperate, more bleak and sober. It recalls Hepworth and Moore, but its pure abstract vocabulary (Frost- or Nicholson-like) adds true depth to these folded waves, sharp crests—the ominous, solid, lonely road to war.
It is to the curators’ great credit that the fifty locals who Reflected are both veterans of WWII, Gulf II or Afghanistan and children at York schools, post-war builders, and Blitz engineers. Indeed, one of the most moving poems was wonderfully produced by year-sixers. It was the poetry and paintings that most captured my compassion, though one may listen to and be moved by Churchill, war songs, and builders’ testimonies through ill-used headsets.
In 1917, Nash wrote: ‘Sunset and sunrise are blasphemous mockeries to man; only the black rain out of the bruised and swollen clouds or through the bitter black of the night is fitting atmosphere in such a land.’ These are the Reflections on War: solemnly marches through human experience, where naught is glorified save compassion, and heroes are overshadowed by horrors. York Art Gallery’s exhibition is beautifully empathetic, rivetingly human, but regrettably small.
Reflections on War is showing at the York Art Gallery until 15th November. Entrance is Free.
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Great article. Almost as good as Charlie Ward. She’s my girlfriend.
An enticing article. Well written, Sam. A must-see exhibition by all accounts.