Sappers & Shrapnel: Contemporary art and the art of the trenches

Sappers & Shrapnel is a contemporary art project inspired by the little-known and undervalued art form known as trench art. This term describes the objects made from the waste of warfare – objects crafted by soldiers, civilians and prisoners of war. Whether intended as trophies of war, souvenirs for those at home, or talismans for the battle ahead, trench art is an expression of our ineffable need to make art.

This ambitious exhibition includes trench art from the collection of the Australian War Memorial including those made by Tasmanian Sapper Stanley K. Pearl alongside the compelling work of contemporary artists including Tony Albert, Olga Cironis, Nicholas Folland, Brett Graham, Fiona Hall, Richard Lewer, Alasdair McLuckie, Baden Pailthorpe, Ben Quilty, Sera Waters and Rene Wanuny Kulitja, Judy Ukampari Trigger, Erica Ikungka Shorty, Lucille Armstrong, Mary Katajuku Pan, Janet Inyika, Niningka Lewis and Freda Teamay from the Tjanpi Desert Weavers.

Delve deeper into the exhibition with a copy of the exhibition publication featuring essays by Richard Flanagan, Genevieve Grieves, Ryan Johnston, Nicholas J Saunders, Lisa Slade and other authors.