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current exhibition
 Simon Clark
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The David Grant Book Launch for “Field Punishment No 1: Archibald Baxter, Mark Briggs and New Zealand's Anti-Militarist Tradition “, supported by paintings by Bob Kerr, is to be held at Milford Galleries Dunedin on Thursday 23 April from 5.30pm.
Bob Kerr's work featuring in this exhibition of paintings are reviewed by Richard Dingwall of the Otago Daily Times. "Bob Kerr's crisp and superbly realised paintings detail the story of Archibald Baxter, a New Zealander who, as a conscientiuos objector during World War One, was taken under guard to the front line in Europe and forcibly made to face fire. This treatment was known as Number One Field Punishment...Bob Kerr is one of our most distinguished illustrators and artists. He captures the principal actors in this drama in deft oil sketches...The character of Baxter himself is left to suggestion with the shadow from his broad brim hat falling across his face." (1)
The book “Field Punishment No 1: Archibald Baxter, Mark Briggs and New Zealand's Anti-Militarist Tradition” describes the courage of the conscientious objectors sent overseas during World War One in a brutal attempt to force them to renounce their convictions and join the war effort. Despite torture and privation, Archie Baxter and Mark Briggs held out till the end, in one of the bravest displays of principle New Zealand has ever seen. They were this country's first successful dissenters, in defiance of a militaristic, neo-colonial government that feared non- conformity. David Grant is the foremost authority of conscientious objection in New Zealand. He re-appraises Briggs and Baxter's stand in the context of a New Zealand which has come to value its place as an independent, anti-militarist nation.
This is David Grant’s 11th book and his third book on the history of pacifists and conscientious objectors in New Zealand after "On A Roll" and "A Question of Faith".
(1) "War and old Warriors take Dunedin's Dowling St" Richard Dingwall, Otago Daily Times, Thursday, 23 August 2007. |
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Bob Kerr was born in Wellington in 1951. He grew up in Tokoroa and then went to Auckland University where he gained a Diploma of Fine Arts under the tuition of Colin McCahon and Garth Tapper. He is the author and illustrator of many children’s books and his work was featured on the cover of the acclaimed Penguin History of New Zealand by Michael King. He has been painting full time since 1998 and exhibits regularly in Auckland and Wellington. He has also been exhibited at Rotorua & Waikato Museum’s of Art and History, Manawatu Art Gallery and Whakatane Museum and Art Gallery. His work is held in public and private collections in NZ and overseas. |
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