Artist’s poignant reminders of great-grandfather’s past
AN exhibition telling the story of an artist’s great-grandfather’s special ops role in the war, and exploring ideas of sacrifice and remembrance, has opened in Leicester.
Loz Atkinson’s display recounts Arthur Pinder’s death in the Second World War, as well as her journey up an Italian mountain to create art in his memory.
In July 2019, artist Loz, accompanied by Italian aeronautical archeologist Francesco Sabini and photographer Zoe Childerley, climbed Monte Zatta in Northern Italy.
They explored the crash site of her great-grandfather’s Halifax MkII JP237 Bomber, where he and the entire crew perished on June 24, 1944.
Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the exhibition explores the universal need to connect with our personal heritage.
Discovering how objects turn into relics and hold powerful memories, Loz shows how with time these objects can convey new meaning despite being made from the debris of the past.
Artworks on show include recovered Halifax aircraft parts, such as a Bristol Hercules engine reworked into sculpture.
Also on display are works created directly into the landscape of the mountain and wreckage collected from the crash site.
The exhibition, supported by Arts Council England, is a display combining contemporary art and history, telling the story of Arthur and his duties during the war as a member of Special Operation Executive 148 squadron in the RAF.
It goes on to show the activities, which took place on the mountain, including searching for wreckage from the aircraft. Pieces found on Loz’s journey are also on show, including airframe and fuselage pieces and heartbreakingly personal items from the crew, such as a heel from one of their boots and buttons from their uniforms.
Loz said: “This project has been hugely personal, but I hope will inspire people to delve into their own heritage to discover incredible stories within their own past or set out on their own adventure to inspire future generations.
“The work is made more poignant being shown in what continues to be a politically turbulent time across the globe.
“The work raises issues of how we commemorate the sacrifices of individuals without glorifying war. Highlighting if we don’t learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it.”
Finding The Fallen -A Pilgrims Journey Of Remembrance runs until November 15 at Leicester Museum and Art Gallery. Entry is free. Booking is essential. For more information, please visit: