Art on War

There are many reasons why art is important, and it is so during many different times throughout one's life and during world events. During war times, it can be an outlet or a form of documentation. That documentation is very much needed to ensure all perspectives are heard and remembered in history. Sometimes that documentation or art in general may work as propaganda, but at other times, as a tool to counter that. During or after wars, near or far, art can be a form of therapy or a release of pain, a cry in the face of destruction, a power in an artist's hand, running through the veins up to the heart and into the brain, releasing thoughts and ideas against any turmoil witnessed, heard or felt. Many artists use that power of art as a tool to resist, as a tool against any silence on atrocities or against erasing certain factors or perspectives of war. Art on war can be disturbing, but often necessary. It gives voice to the voiceless. These paintings are not easy to view or do, but they make us reflect, recollect and not forget. Through art comes light and a sense of hope, hope that war may never occur and hope for it always to be remembered for it not to be. 

During COVID-19 which the world is experiencing, other issues and problems unfortunately do continue. António Guterres, Secretary-General of The United Nations, had early on of this pandemic called for an immediate ceasefire in all corners of the globe. Although the news has not or rarely spoken of wars since the escalation of the pandemic, as António Guterres mentions in his message posted on the United Nations social media on the 4th April, some conflicts have not ceased and others have intensified. Working towards international peace and security is always necessary. In these times, the world must think of the most vulnerable, those in war torn countries, in refugee camps or living in less fortunate areas. War does not end at ceasefire, it propels many issues that humanity has to deal with, from health, food, security, migration to identity. 

There are many famous paintings on war and artists reflecting on war times, such as John Singer Sargent, Paul Nash, Otto Dix, Pablo Picasso, Hanaa Malallah to name a few. There are also famous artists who practised as war photographers such as Dan McCullin and Lee Miller. Below are some images and notes relating to war. On the anniversary of VE Day, in the mist of social distancing, we hope and know that we'll meet again...



Theatre of Operations: The Gulf Wars 1991–2011 at MoMA PS1

Theatre of Operations was an exhibition held at MoMA PS1 on The Gulf Wars 1991–2011. Through art it examined the impact these wars have had on contemporary culture, showcasing work from 80 artists either based in Iraq or from the diaspora, as well as artists responding to the wars.

It was organised by Peter Eleey, Chief Curator, and Ruba Katrib, Curator, MoMA PS1; with Jocelyn Miller, Assistant Curator; Josephine Graf, Curatorial Assistant; and Oliver Shultz, former Curatorial Associate.

 Gulf Wars by Afifa Aleiby. 1991

The Last Shot by Thuraya Al-Baqsami.1991

 


Michael Rakowitz

 

The Invisible Enemy Should Not Exist by Michael Rakowitz, The Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square

Picture in 2018. London 

This art piece is a life size copy of Lamassu a protective deity with the body of a bull, a human head and is a winged God from the Nergal Gate of Nineveh 700 BC that was destroyed by isis with other works in the Mosul Museum. 
The sculpture is held together, fastened by 10,500 empty Iraqi date-syrup cans and adorned with inscriptions.
Though cultural heritage cannot be replaced, the artist is recalling this loss and bringing it back into the public sphere. 
It perhaps is also making us aware that art may be destroyed but through artists, through their work, rebuilding art, continuing to push it forward and through memory it can continue to live.

 


Otto Dix

 Der Krieg (Triptychon) by Otto Dix. 1929-1932. Mixed technique on plywood. Pictured in the Galerie Neue Meister at SKD Museum Dresden (Staatliche
Kunstsammlungen Dresden) purchased from the artist in 1968.

Otto Dix was a soldier in WWI, profoundly affected by the horrors he witnessed, he turned to art to depict them, including a series in 1924 of 50 etchings called Der Krieg. He referred to that experience again with Der Krieg Triptychon, in 1929-1932.

 


Nabil Kanso

 

The Split of Life: Lebanon, oil on canvas, 3 X 8.5 meters (10 X 28 feet), 1983

When war broke out in Lebanon, it affected Nabil Kanso profusely. He found solace in drawing. Thus started his journey into the art world and into connecting his painting with war. 
On war, at a later stage of his life, he stated in conversation with Catherine Fox for the Atlanta Journal/Constitution July 8 1984 that:
"It is wrenching to see the whole country destroyed," "All your memories, everything is gone. To witness this is not something in the movie. I read and heard about (war) from my father, but to witness it is a totally different experience. People are killing each other over religion. Now they all have the same religion: violence" says the artist.”

 


Walid Raad

 

 

 I Want to be Able to Welcome my Father in my House, by The Atlas Group, Walid Raad. 1990/2018.

Pictured at the Sfeir-Semler Gallery at Frieze in October 2018.

 

The Atlas Group by Walid Raad was a project to research and document the contemporary history of Lebanon, with emphasis on the Lebanese wars of 1975 to 1990.

I want to be able to welcome my father to my house are Walid Raad’s father's diaries that he kept throughout the wars. 

 


Aref El Rayess

 

The Path of Liberty by Aref El Rayess. 1968. Pictured at Sursock Museum

Aref El Rayess was a Lebanese painter born in Aley, Mount Lebanon in 1928. He started his career as a self-taught artist exhibiting for the first time in 1948. He lived in Africa for many years during which he traveled between Senegal and Paris. In Paris, he joined the studios of Fernand Léger, André Lhote, Marcelle Marso and Ossip Zadkine while studying at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. In 1957, he returned to Lebanon, but left again for Florence in 1959 with a scholarship from the Italian government. From 1960 to 1963, he lived in Rome where he went on studying and exhibiting. In 1963, he returned to Lebanon. 

 


Serwan Baran

 

 Untitled by Serwan Baran. 2020 from A Harsh Beauty at Saleh Barakat Gallery, Beirut Lebanon

Serwan Baran grew up in Baghdad. He received a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Babylon, and moved to Amman during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Baran has been living and working in Beirut since 2013. 

 


Pablo Picasso

 

 Guernica at Museo Reina Sofia 

Picasso painted Guernica as an anti war artwork. It depicts the horrors of the bombing of the town Guernica by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. Its touring exhibition was used to raise funds for Spanish war relief. A replica of it, made in tapestry sits in the United Nations. 

 


Goya

The Third of May by Francisco Goya. 1808

This painting housed in the Museo Nacional del Prado, is revolutionary in its style, it still feels like a contemporary artwork, for its emotion, either felt as a viewer looking at this great artwork or literally painted on the figure‘s face, and revolutionary in how it shows the horrors of war, openly depicting them. 
This painting commemorates the Spanish Resistance against Napoleon’s armies during the Peninsular War 1808.
Goya used art to speak up against atrocities in his time. 

 


Rahman Taha

 

Rahman Taha's screenshot from his art during Shubbak Festival's and The British Museum's event, discussing making art in Yemen.

There is a humanitarian crisis going on in Yemen, and heartbreakingly, on the news, the country is synonymous with the word war. These artists and cultural activists are bringing forth their voices to showcase the people of Yemen, a nation filled with art, culture and heart. They are pushing forth, despite the destruction, the heightened bills, the lack of any support from within and from outside the country. They want to show the people’s voices, to document, to heal, to keep their nation’s voice and cultural richness alive but also to show the beauty of their culture, of the art and the contemporary art movement going on. (repost from @noursalehs 7th July 2019)

This screenshot above is from the artist's art video during his art exhibition in Yemen. It asks “What are You taking photos for?” And as this photo was taken, that question is then posed in our thoughts-so in this context of taking photos, here are some thoughts: taking it to document the moment to relay the power that art has a language. Art as a bridge amongst nations and people and to relay to all on social media and beyond, the beautiful and touching strength these artists and activists have, despite the war going on around them.
 


Ode To Armenia

 

Starving by Jean Kazandjian - 1960s / From the exhibition "Rebirth of a Nation" at the Beirut Exhibition Center at the exhibition courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Hagop Pamboukian 

 

 Exodus by John Guvderelian 'Guvder" - 2004 / From the exhibition "Rebirth of a Nation" at the Beirut Exhibition Center 

Held in 2015 at the Beirut Exhibition Center, “Rebirth of a Nation” committed itself to representing the Armenian Genocide through art. 
The preservation of a collective memory was poignant within the display. Built around two themes, Genocide and Rebirth, the array of emotional and thought provoking paintings, showcased a perspective of history that has often been silenced. Perhaps through art, the layers of politics and power can be peeled away and understanding and humanitarianism brought forth. 
Art Breath was moved by the following words by Dr. Movses Zirani “ In any case, we believe that art, through its inspiring, aesthetic power, has the potential of ennobling humankind [...] .”

 


Ghaith Abdul-Ahad

Ghaith Abdul-Ahad is an Iraqi journalist and photographer. He also documents war and the effects of war through his drawings. 

After the 2003 invasion of Iraq, he became a freelance photographer for Getty Images and then in 2004, started to write for The Guardian.

art by Ghaith Abdul-ahad

 


Imperial War Museum 

"IWM is a family of five museums recording and showcasing experiences of modern conflict. Some of those experiences paint a picture of everyday life in wartime, others give us a glimpse of something exceptional. All of them help us to explore the causes of war and its impact on people’s lives."

https://www.instagram.com/imperialwarmuseums/

This is a painting of Dr Elise Inglis by Norah Neilson-Gray held in the collection of the Imperial War Museum

 


After war, pain and hurt comes hope for better days and peace...once again artists can showcase peace through their art or highlight the plight of humanity with art which could help lead us towards peace or a shared sense of humanity....