Over 90 works, ranging from A4 drawings in charcoal to 4ft x 8ft oil paintings, were executed in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions, ranging from muddy ravines in bitterly cold winds and sleet, to long deserted tunnels, infantry shelters and underground forts, illuminated only by his paraffin lamps and helmet-light.
These adverse conditions contribute to the vigour and emotive power of the works produced.
Sometimes describing himself as a “visual archaeologist” Perry’s intimate knowledge of the area is gained from direct personal exploration on the ground. Twenty-five years of walking, drawing, and studying the battlefields, meeting, talking (and drinking) with people who have grown up in the area, whose grandfathers suffered and died in those bitter conflicts of 1916, gives this exhibition, sometimes subtitled “Echoes of War” a poignancy that evokes strong emotional as well as artistic responses.
This collection can be extended and augmented by numerous works from earlier expeditions and could be combined with its sister exhibition ” THE SOMME” to form an exhibition (on the theme of ‘Echoes of War’ ) or ‘1914 – 2014’ of major proportions.
View video footage (Courtesy of BBC TV) |
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- At work near infantry shelter "Abri DV1". Forests of Verdun. Fri 16 March 2001. Photo
- Infantry Shelter Abri VT1, Verdun. Fri 16 March 2001. A0. Oil
- Exterior. Fort Douaumont, Verdun. 6.30pm Wed 21 Feb 2001. A3. Charcoal-ink
- Façade of Fort Douaumont, Verdun. September 1997. 48 x 96 inches. Oil
- Infantry Shelter Abri DV3. 5.15pm Mon 26 Feb 2001. A3. Charcoal-graphite-ink.
- Infantry Shelter Abri DV3, Verdun. 3.15pm Sun 25 Feb 2001. A3. Charcoal-graphite-ink.
- Infantry Shelter Abri DV2,Verdun. 2.45pm Tue 27 Feb 2001. A3. Charcoal-graphite-ink.
- Infantry Shelter Abri DV2, Verdun. 4.00pm Tue 27 Feb 2001. A3. Charcoal-graphite-ink.
- Infantry Shelter Abri DV2, Verdun. 5.30pm Tue 27 Feb 2001. A3. Charcoal-graphite-ink.
- At work outside Infantry Shelter Abri DV2, Verdun. Sat 3 March 2001. Photo
- Shattered infantry shelter Abri DV2 6.30pm 14 Mar 2001. Size 120 x 240cm. Oil
- Shattered Infantry Shelter Abri DV2, Verdun. Wed 14 March 2001. 48 x 96 inches. Oil (detail)
- At work. Interior of shattered Infantry Shelter Abri DV2, Verdun. 9 March 2001. Photo
- Interior of shattered Infantry Shelter Abri DV2, Verdun. 2.45pm Fri 9 March 2001. A2 Charcoal- ink
- Interior of shattered Infantry Shelter Abri DV2, Verdun. 5.05pm Fri 9 March 2001. A2 Charcoal- ink
- Fort Vaux under snow, Verdun. 5.00pm Thur 1 March 2001. A3. Gouache
- Interior, Fort Tavannes, Verdun. 2.00pm Wed 21 March 2001. A0. Oil
- Interior, Fort Tavannes, Verdun. 2.00pm Wed 21 March 2001. A0. Oil (detail)