Wartime art on show in Cheltenham (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Wartime art on show in Cheltenham

TO mark the anniversary of the end of the Second World War Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum is showing a selection of paintings and prints from its fine art collection by artists working during the First and Second World Wars.

The exhibition is called The Art of Conflict and runs from July 30 to September 10.

The Art Gallery and Museum has an interesting and varied collection of work by artists depicting images that record different aspects of conflict and war. It is the first time that many of these works will have been exhibited.

Works include prints by artist Muirhead Bone recording the horrors of the First World War; Michael Rothenstein's delicate watercolours which show interesting arrangements of road obstructions to thwart invasion; military portraits by Henry Lamb; a painting by Leslie Cole which illustrates the manufacture of Stirling aeroplanes; and closer to home a very different view of Pittville Pump Room is seen in a watercolour by William Gaydon complete with Nissan huts in the foreground.

The exhibition also includes a selection of objects to complement the paintings which reflect life on the front line and the Home Front. These include such things as ration books, gas masks, Christmas gifts to the troops and a Victory Bell.

The exhibition is certain to bring back memories for those who lived through the war but will also give an insight of wartime to visitors of all ages. There will be a memory board for visitors to share their stories and experiences and a discovery table with objects to handle.

To mark the opening of the exhibition there is a free event 'We Shall Remember' on Saturday, July, 30, when actress Genevieve Swift and writer Jason Maher will read a selection of 20th century war poems, from 11am to 11.40am.

For further information contact 01242 237431. Opening times, Monday to Saturday 10am to 5.20pm closed Bank Holidays, admission free, donations welcome. (First Thursday of each month open from 11am).