Sacrifice

This painting serves as a poignant visual statement against the chaos and devastation of war, highlighting the courage and ultimate sacrifice of humanity, while offering a glimmer of hope that peace will ultimately triumph over senseless destruction. The scene unfolds across a vast panorama, where the ruins of war-torn buildings stretch under a tumultuous sky. The scorched earth transforms into an enormous chessboard, where only two kings stand upright while the pawns have been sacrificed. Blackened tree trunks rise from the ground, evoking the remnants of a once-thriving forest, their bases resembling the bottoms of chess pieces, drawing an allegorical connection between the fallen trees and the heroes who gave their lives. At the heart of the scene, an Australian Army slouch hat lies on the ground, a direct reference to the sacrifice of the ANZAC soldiers in World War I. Red poppies bloom from the hat, symbolising life and remembrance, while an old photograph inside the hat serves as a tribute to those left behind. Rendered in a Surrealistic style - one born out of the horrors of World War I - the painting invites reflection on the cost of conflict and the enduring hope for peace.