Update: The Persona Project
By Ben Sexton
Gordon Traill, arts mentor, photographer and author (front) & Lauren Curtis, photographer and conservator.
The Australian National Veterans Art Museum (ANVAM) is excited to announce that significant progress is being made towards the completion of the unique portrait series, Persona.
Persona, has been a five year collaboration between ANVAM, photographer Michael Christofas and a community of veteran artists. The purpose of Persona is to photograph veterans within their creative spaces, challenge traditional veteran stereotypes and enhance understanding of the role of arts within the veteran community, through the striking portrait photography of Michael Christofas. Thanks to the support of the Saluting their Service Commemorative Grant, Persona will be designed and presented across three fundamental formats. These are as follows: an engaging online showcase, populated with images and artists narrative, a hardcover publication featuring portraits of 25 selected artists and, to mark the culmination of the project, ongoing exhibitions where members of the community are invited to view select portraits displayed on large panels.
ANVAM is looking for host venues and welcomes your interest in supporting or showcasing the Persona exhibition. Please contact ANVAM via info@anvam.org.au
Stuart Coghill, bagpiper and blacksmith with Lily Coghill, Therese and Michael Christofas.
After a series of covid-related postponements, it was ANVAM’s delight to offer a small sample of Persona within the Victorian State Parliament during March 2022. Twelve portraits were displayed in Queens Hall, chosen to represent the broader, growing veteran arts community. Veteran community representatives, artists, guests and MP’s in attendance were heralded into Queens Hall by musician, bagpiper and Persona subject, Stuart Coghill. The six panels on display, featured 12 Victorian-based veteran artists spanning the generations, providing an opportunity to shine a light on each veteran artist to showcase a variety of mediums and arts engagements across the veteran community.
Veteran artists at the launch of Persona in Queens Hall, Victorian State Parliament.
ANVAM extends our gratitude to the the Minister for Veterans, the Hon. Shaun Leane for the invitation to exhibit and launch the project. A special thanks to the support staff at Victorian Parliament and to ANVAM sponsors & supporters.