Sketches record losses of war
Renowned artist Geoffrey Fuller’s sketches determined Western Bay Museum’s latest exhibition — Those Who Served — to remember war without blood or horror.
“Unfortunately our research and the objects we’ve selected and displayed share stories of horrific personal grief, sickness, despair and loss,” Museum manager Paula Gaelic said at the exhibition opening last Friday.
Paula shared a glimpse of war and the effects that were shared by thousands.
“Ida Mary Urwin farewelled her two brothers on the wharf — a distressing time.
“William removed his NZ Fern Badge, gave it to his sister and told her he would return for it.”
Paula read from the diary of Private William Edward Urwin who enlisted on June 10, 1915 at Trentham in the 7th Reinforcement.
“July 2, 1916 — Weather fine and warm. Artillery active all day. Heavy straffe 11pm. Received letter from Katie today, she announced the end.”
This was William’s last diary entry. Private William Urwin died on July 3 1916, aged 27. He is remembered with honour at Armentieres, France.
Ida May Urwin lost both of her brothers and then 20 years later lived through the horror again, farewelling her three sons to World War II and her husband to the Home Guard.
Geoffrey Fuller’s pastel charcoal sketches on display bring to life war in an artistic way. The 25 detailed sketches were drawn from photographs and research as a tribute to all men and women of Katikati and wider New Zealand, who served their country at home or abroad during World War I and World War II.
The sketches formed the mural, Those Who Served, commissioned by Katikati OpenAir Art that is on the wall at the Katikati RSA and Citizens Club.
Open-Air Art chairman Steve Graveson welcomed Geoffrey’s sister, Joan Clark, 94, and her daughter Jill to the exhibition. Joan was one of the foundation members of Open-Air Art when it started back in 1989/90.
“We thank you and Geoffrey’s wife, Margaret, for the generous gift of these amazing works of art. I’m sure Geoffrey would never have dreamed his old sketches would have so much impact, but the mural had an impact on him. When he was painting it he had a stroke after completing the second panel.”
“We are reminded today that our community gave of 60 of its men during World War I,” Steve said. Of that 60, 18 men were never to return. This percentage is far higher than the national average of 10 per cent.
“It remind us that during the war 60 men were to leave from this town, which only had a total population of 400 residents. These men would have been known by the whole community and the town must have felt great loss when they didn’t return.”
“While we must never forget the sacrifice that has occurred and its depicted today in the murals, not only those who didn’t come home, but all the thousands of men and women that suffered in some way,” Katikati RSA President Glenn Burt said. “This exhibition highlights the need to support everyday Kiwis who have gone through war,” he said. The RSA nationally is running a theme, All Wounds Don’t Bleed.
“That’s what we as the RSA are most concerned about. It hasn’t stopped since World War II — the operations continue — we’ve had Vietnam, East Timor, the Solomons, Afghanistan, Iraq. “There’s something like 30,000 contemporary vets in NZ since Vietnam. This exhibition reminds us — we must never forget, nor the ongoing support still needed.”
Updating the book for the mural Steve found the speech cue cards Geoffrey wrote for the dedication, which he read out. His speech is in the introduction to the book, titled Those Who Served that was officially launched at the opening. It is a guide to the mural and describes details of each of the drawings plus lots of other information.
Joan Clark said the exhibition of her brother’s works was “wonderful”.
“Geoffrey was fussy and finicky — he had to get things right. He researched everything to get the detail right.”
She said Geoff’s wife cleaned out his studio after he died. Her daughter came home from England to help, to find the sketches piled up ready for a bonfire. She said we must return them to Joan and they were returned in a big box.
“I was so afraid the charcoal might rub off. But as Steve said they were under his bed and were quite safe.”
Vietnam war veteran John Barrett said they had done a wonderful job.
“They (the sketches) seem so alive.”
He said when serving in Vietnam he lived and slept with a rifle. His grandfather served in Gallipoli, his father in World War II and his two brothers in Korea.
For many the exhibition was too complex to absorb in one evening so Paula provided everyone with a pass to return.
She thanked the museum volunteers, 1st Signs, Taylor Bros Transport Ltd and the community for their support.