Artists statement

"Pod-mounted M60 machine gun in the platoon bunker on the defensive perimeter of Nui Dat base camp. When not on operations, you mounted the piquet (picket) - 24/7."

Historical information

This series of paintings was created by Robert E D'Arcy, who served as a Corporal in 8RAR in 1969-1970.The images are from colour photographs taken by the artist, each being an interpretation of the snapshot. The photographic image has been simplified with a flattened perspective to give the impression of a 1970s style poster. The olive green signifies the colour of the jungle and the uniforms worn by troops, with the dark shades providing an atmosphere reminiscent of old photographs and their negatives. The paintings in "Snapshots from the Front" depict remembered images that endure in the minds of Vietnam veterans.

Physical description

Image mostly black with some dark khaki on a white background features a machine gun resting on the top of a darkened pit as if at a horizon line, with a distant landscape outline above it.