Art In The Aftermath

3D Virtual Exhibition Tour produced by V21 Artspace.

Style for Soldiers exhibition Art in the Aftermath will be showcasing art, poetry and film created by former servicemen suffering from PTSD or brain injury predominantly incurred in Afghanistan, as well as the paintings and drawings of Harry Parker who was physically injured by a Taliban IED explosion.

 The charity has sponsored 4 soldier artists for the year to remove financial pressures and allow them to develop their art, with professional mentors and work towards this exhibition Art in the Aftermath. 

Creative work has been scientifically proven to help re route the neurological pathways of the brain and the veterans have found peace and purpose over the year and the aim now is to launch economically viable careers for them doing what they love and supports them psychologically. 

Significant support has been given by British companies including Christies for all the exhibition art direction and signage, Mr Porter, Marks & Spencer, Barclays, Russell & Bromley,  Lock and Co Hatters, Pol Roger and The Veterans Foundation. 

The exhibition will also show powerful images taken for the Financial Times of Style for Soldiers Founder Emma Willis’s visits to Headley Court in 2009, at the height of the Afghan casualties, measuring for complimentary bespoke clothing as a gift of gratitude for their courage and sacrifice, as well as photographic portraits of injured soldiers dressed immaculately in a Style for Soldiers / Mr Porter photo shoot by top fashion photographers Ben Weller and Boo George ( below ) to show the importance of smart clothes for morale and self confidence when transitioning into new, unpredicted civilian life and careers. 

The exhibition will also be showing Ben Dearnley’s stunning sculpture of Mark Ormrod’s torso ‘Undefeated’. Mark lost three limbs in an IED explosion while serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan, and met Emma on one her visits to Headley Court, The Military Rehabilitation Hospital. 

On Nov 7th Humanitarian Photographer Giles Duley will be talking to the Soldier Artists about the healing powers of art after psychological trauma and on November 12th David Gandy and Telegraph Fashion Director Lisa Armstrong will be discussing The Power of Dressing on self esteem and confidence, particularly following life changing physical injury, with service women and men.  

It will be a positive exhibition talking openly about PTSD and coping with physical life changing injury but celebrating our exceptional young servicemen and women in this important centenary year and after a decade of violent conflict.

Emma Willis and the Soldier Artists will be at La Galleria throughout to talk about the exhibition and they look forward to meeting visitors.

For further information, please contact us:

 info@styleforsoldiers.com   

MEET THE ARTISTS

Stewart Hill is portrait painter, poet and motivational speaker. Following severe Traumatic Brain injury incurred in Afghanistan whilst commanding B Company, 2 Mercian in Helmand in 2009, Stewart rediscovered a passion for painting and it’s vital healing properties as part of his long rehabilitation.  Stewart has won several awards, including shortlisted this year for the RA Summer Exhibition and his paintings are on display in some leading galleries. Sir John Timpson OBE, The Duke of Bedford, Nick Knowles and Ray Winstone have all commissioned Stewart to paint their portraits. He is also an accomplished performing poet, writing about his experiences in the military with breathtaking power, conjuring up for the audience the horrors of the war in Afghanistan and responsibilities of military command. Stewart takes portrait commissions from all over the UK.

 

Stewart Hill: Self Portrait

Martin Wade was medically discharged in 2015 following his diagnosis of PTSD in 2010 some three years after his return from Afghanistan.  During a lengthy stay in a German Psychiatric Hospital he was encouraged to paint as part of a holistic approach to his therapy.  He found a way to express creatively things he could not express in words.  

 

Martin Wade: Lustful Ruminations

Dougie Adams: Former Guardsman Dougie Adams was injured in an IED incident on the 21st of June 2012 on his third tour of Afghanistan and suffered the emotional trauma also of his best friend being killed in and IED attack. Dougie was diagnosed with PTSD and discharged from the Army in 2014  and has come to painting for pleasure and effective therapy. He loves dogs and paints powerful and witty portraits but is happiest when he is outside in the wide open landscape, where he feels at peace with his paints and his easel. 

 

'Plein Air Skech'

Karl Tearney has discovered poetry and art since he was medically discharged with PTSD, poems pouring urgently out of him, and his 570 to date poems will be displayed on one wall titled ‘For Love of Words’ . He also speaks honestly and powerfully about mental illness and gives voluntary talks to the Ambulance Service to help them deal with traumatic work