Picture of dad socks it to Gallipoli art judges
by Rosalie Higson
SYDNEY painter Tom Carment has won the 2008 Gallipoli Art Prize with a watercolour portrait and an evocative relic from World War II prisoner of war camps.
Carment painted his late father, World War II serviceman Max Carment.
Incorporated in the frame is a much-repaired khaki sock that Max wore during his time as a prisoner of war in Singapore and Kuching, Borneo.
War Veteran (last portrait) stood out among a strong field of entries for its evocation of the Anzac spirit of bravery in the face of death, as well as loyalty, respect, love of country and comradeship - as set out in the creed of the Gallipoli Memorial Club, which has held the annual art competition since 2006.
Artists from Australia, New Zealand and Turkey are eligible to enter. Winning paintings are acquired by the club and in 2015, the centenary of Anzac Day, a joint exhibition will be held in Sydney and Turkey.
Carment said his portrait showed "a man who's been very scarred by his war experiences".
"I think the spirit and courage of the soldiers and prisoners from Singapore was similar to that of the soldiers at Gallipoli - it shows bravery against all odds," Carment said after the award ceremony in Sydney yesterday.
The sock was kept in a drawer for many years, until Max gave it to Tom after the son expressed an interest. "(My father) kept repairing it and repairing it," he said. "They weren't getting new uniforms, obviously, so he would use any scrap of wool, until it was almost more darning than original sock."
Carment had a few photographs of his father and companions, taken just after they were released from the Kuching POW camp. The pictures showed the results of the privations they endured.
"They were kept in the camp for a month after the war," he said.
"The people in charge of the camp wouldn't give up, they held on to their prisoners. People were dying even after the war had ended. Their bellies were swollen from beriberi and they were starving. Dad said he weighed just over seven stone (44.5kg) at the end of the war."
Carment has a portrait in another exhibition commemorating Anzac Day. The Coloured Digger, at Damien Minton Gallery in Redfern until May 10, honours Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who fought in the Australian armed forces.
Carment portrayed Aboriginal ex-serviceman David Williams, who was in the navy and saw active service in Vietnam.
The Gallipoli Art Prize exhibition is at the Gallipoli Memorial Club until May 9.
The Australian
© 2008 News Limited