Members of Medway-based art group Explore & Draw came together at the Royal Engineers Museum with the purpose of creating this exhibition inspired by what they discovered. Each artist has each responded in their own unique way, some drawing directly from personal connection to the Royal Engineers, or the inspiring stories of others contained within these walls.
Inner Journey, Outer Journey
Claire Hammond
£85
In honour of Charles Tipper (1885-1958)
Machine Gun Corp WW1 – Enlisted 11th Dec 1915
This painting illustrates the juxtaposition of the physical, outer journey undertaken by those involved in war as depicted in map form, with the mental, inner journey undertaken by the soldier in wartime. Originally inspired by the maps found within the Royal Engineers Museum, I was struck by the journeys faced by many during wartime – whether as civilians or soldiers. As well as physical journeys involving travel across the landscape, many faced a physical journey of recovery from injury sustained during war, as well as sustaining and recovering from mental trauma – the inner journey.
The collaged area in the background is taken from a plan of the River Medway from Rochester Bridge to Sheerness as displayed in the Museum, representing the physical journey undertaken by many. The collaged area on the eye patch of the soldier is from a map of The Somme, representing my grandfather’s personal journey. As a Private In the Machine Gun Corps in WW1 he was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. As a result of his journey to and efforts in the Battle of the Somme, he sustained injuries that resulted in him losing an eye. He later went on to suffer from “Shell shock”, a term that originated before Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D) was termed. This was his inner journey, as it was for many others.
Claire’s artwork can be found here (please note this is an external site not connected with the Royal Engineers Museum)
Celebrating Saint Barbara
Rachel (Bette Love Illustrations)
Watercolour and Ink
£80 (if sold would like to donate money to charity of The Royal Engineers Museums choice)
Celebrating Saint Barbara in her role as Patron Saint to the Royal Engineers. Here I am showing a modern St. Barbara being invoked by lightening to protect our Royal Engineers and all service personnel.
Explore & Draw at the Royal Engineers Museum runs from 4th April to 25th June
31 March 2023