Creating art when surrounded by war seems contradictory. However, as the work attests, inspiration can take many forms, providing a glimpse into a world that otherwise would be unfamiliar. Although markedly different in their styles and subject choices, the featured artists—Jean Lefort, Curtiney George Foote, Charles Thatcher Shellabarger, Myron Chapin, and Clifford Warner demonstrate several ways one can capture wartime experiences.
For some of these soldier artists, the desire to create functions as a way to explore complex feelings, as shown in Foote’s seemingly celebratory portrayal of a victory parade and Shellabarger’s image of a French soldier’s grave. For others, art captures impressions of everyday life, such as letter-writing, shoe shining, and socializing.
These images make clear that the war was indiscriminate in its effects, but rather all around us, devastating families, communities, and ways of life. Despite this catastrophic event, they convey a shared humanity. A century after the war, this art retains its power as a testament to the experiences of those that lived it.
With that being said, we encourage you to stop by National WWI Museum and Memorial to see this exhibit!
At Domain City Center Apartments in Lenexa, Kansas, we pride ourselves on informing our residents about all the upcoming events our beautiful community has to offer. Don’t hesitate to join this event on Saturday!
Event Time/Date:
Saturday, November 3, 2018—10:00 AM
Event Venue Location:
National WWI Museum and Memorial
2 Memorial Drive
Kansas City, Missouri 64108