Behind Every Number

My work is about time and the perception of history. ‘Behind Every Number’ draws attention to the individual’s experience of World War 1. For those of us three, four and five generations removed from the Great War, our perception of that conflict has been shaped by text books, films, novels, memorials and family stories – our view is a distant one.
The scale of the horror and destruction, and the tragedy it generated, is overwhelming and incomprehensible. The individual’s experience can easily be overlooked. When studying World War 1, one is inevitably confronted by statistics; at some point it becomes obvious that behind every number is an individual, a life. Ultimately individual memory is inaccessible; we who have not experienced the war cannot know the reality of Gallipoli or the western Front.

The three portraits displayed here with accompanying artist’s books convey a more personal view of the Great War. I feel it is from war diaries, letters and military records that we can glean more of an understanding of the horror endured and sacrifice made by these people, and further understand the effect on the Australian community. It is therefore vital that these records are preserved.

The books and portraits are made from zinc etching plates that have been treated with a variety of acids. The surfaces speak of the suffering and horror endured and the fragility of life.

‘Behind Every Number’ is intended to commemorate and remind us of the sacrifice made by so many ordinary Australians in extraordinary circumstances. By telling the story of my ancestors I hope to tell a story many young Australians can relate to.

Acknowledgments

Firstly a special thanks to the Army History Unit without whose generous financial support this project would not have been possible.

Petr Herel and the staff and students of the Graphic Investigation Workshop, Canberra School of Art.

The National Archives of Australia
The Australian War Memorial
Ron and Chris Kirkland
Stan Murphy
Kevin Murphy
Chris Murphy
Mrs Jenny Scanes
Jill Wolf
Keith Ashurst
Skye Palmer
Alex Lynraven
Michael Manning

Please click on image to access artists’ books.

Samuel Thomas Murphy

Samuel Thomas Murphy

Reginald Clarence Scanes

Reginald Clarence Scanes

George Kirkland

George Kirkland