Artists statement

"These paintings manage to be both intimate and distanced. The intimacy belongs to their source in the artist's snapshots over a 30-year period: while the uniform colouring (dark sea green, black and white) and stylised interpretation of photographic shades of grey by flat areas of colour create a mechanical feel. D'Arcy's treatment of his subject matter - events and people encountered as a soldier in Vietnam 1969-70 and in commemoration of that war since - is coolly dispassionate, in the tradition of the classical memento mori. War and mortality: timely themes." Review of series, The Age, Friday 23 April 2004

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

Abstracted images in black and khaki on white - Series of 14 Paintings _ 13 donated to NVVM. Painting shown here is the artist's self-portrait, which he retained for his family to keep.