My interest in war artists has been indicated here and here.
War artists are not just a quaint relic of a bygone age. The Imperial War Museum appointed Steve McQueen in 2003 to record the War in Iraq.
He struggled to complete the commission for some time. Now he has done it. A set of postage stamps, each one depicting a Briton who has been killed in the war.
It's having it's first showing at the Manchester International Festival.
From the Financial Times interview about it:
It is clear that this piece of work has become something of a crusade for him. I wonder if he has any sympathy for the MOD and the Royal Mail, whose shrinking away from such a project in the middle of a less-than-popular war is surely understandable? “No, no. Not at all. If you are willing enough to send people to fight and die, you should at least have the decency to honour them.
“What exactly is the problem? It is not an anti-war project. It is honouring the people who have died. I have no sympathy for their position at all. If they are ashamed, let them say it in public.” By now, words are tumbling out of McQueen, almost quicker than he can process them. “If [the Royal Mail] can react quickly enough to commemorate the Ashes series, then an 18-year-old who catches a bullet in his head can be honoured in the same way. I mean, come on. Catching a ball? Leather on willow?” His contempt is palpable.
They died for Queen and country.
[tip from Knobel ]
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