The Graphic Horror of War: George Gittoes

The 21st Century appears to be headed towards a future of vast corruption and exploitation as a result of the often inhumane and uncivilised individuals who, over the years have become desensitized to poverty, war, consumerism, racism, mental illnesses and political corruption. As the world moves towards further democracy, and decentralization it is vital that art is given the opportunity to stimulate people’s awareness, participation and judgment. Arts purpose is not only to be a fulfilment of society’s visual needs but is needed be utilised as a function to alert people to society’s problems. Australian born George Gittoes, works within war zones to create confronting paintings, film, photography and prose that frequently portray man’s inhumanity to man. Gordon Bennett, also Australian, paints images that depict his own self questioning about his identity and the injustice towards Aboriginal Australians since the time of settlement.

George Gittoes (b.1949) creates works that that communicate the issue of the graphic horror of war. A social realist painter, photographer and filmmaker, his approach to art is that ‘he layers and accumulates material until, out of apparent chaos, there is a synthesis of idea, passion and image’ (Mendelssohn, 2014). As an eyewitness to the world's war zones, Gittoes clearly uses his work as a means of communication to society.

Gittoes worked in Rwanda in 1995 with the army’s public relations unit and from his observations painted ‘Discarded’ (1995, Oil on canvas, 173 x 260cm). The focal point of the painting portrays a desolate father watching the body of his young daughter being carried away for burial by two Zambian peacekeepers. In the background a crowd of people helplessly watch on as the ...

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...ss, to act as a catalyst perhaps, to exceed the boundaries of language and how it defines and limits our understanding of the world in which we live”, (Gordon Bennett, 2014 Para. 9).

Works Cited

1. (Bennett, 2014 Para. 9). NGV Gordon Bennett Education Resource. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/gordonbennett/education/03.html#06. [Accessed 06 May 2014].

2. (McKenzie, 2010). George Gittoes: Descendence stories, from Night Vision, The Diaries, Studio International. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.studiointernational.com/index.php/george-gittoes-descendence-stories-from-night-vision-the-diaries. [Accessed 07 May 2014].

3. Fry, G (1998). George Gittoes. Singapore: CRAFTSMAN HOUSE. p77.

4. (NGV, 2014). NGV Gordon Bennett Education Resource. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/gordonbennett/education/03.html#06. [Accessed 11 May 2014].