IF A picture tells a thousand words, the fascinating and tragic stories of war behind these artworks paint a piece of our history.
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Reality in Flames is a visiting exhibition from the Australian War Memorial, and is now on display at Tamworth Regional Gallery.
The artworks capture what Australian life looked like for men and women, both at home and overseas, during the Second World War.
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The Australian War Memorial's George Bailey was in Tamworth to launch the display, and said he hoped it would provide a moment of quiet reflection for visitors.
"My father was a serviceman, he served in the Second World War, and some of these paintings show some of the conditions he fought in, so it gives me pause to think about how lucky we are in this day and age," he said.
"This exhibition shows the inhumanity and the humanity, the dark sides and the cheerful sides at the end of the war ... the whole range of emotions are shown in this exhibition."
The 89 pieces of art in the exhibition have been travelling around the country for the past six years, and Tamworth is the final destination.
The visit coincides with Remembrance Day.
"You can write all the history books you want, but being able to ... get a visual impression is very, very important," Mr Bailey said.
Tamworth Regional Gallery director Bridget Guthrie said the art helps put hard times into perspective.
"There are a lot of works that really pull on your heartstrings," she said.
Big name artists like Sidney Nolan and Stella Bowen feature in the exhibition, which will be at the gallery until November 22.
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
