By Andrew Gray.
My mother, who lives in Taunton, has been involved in an art project with 40 Commando, who have just returned from Afghanistan. Essentially 500 of them were given “Combat Art” kits when the Commando deployed. They were asked to record anything about their deployment in any style they liked. Loads of the guys took part and the post-deployment exhibition in Taunton has just started, which has attracted considerable interest. Some of the pictures by Royal Marines from all ranks are remarkable, particularly those by Marine Harrison. There is also quite a discussion being generated about the therapeutic benefits of art for PTSD generally.
Anyway, I thought you might find the attached interesting. I wonder if there is any scope for letting the Sandbaggers know about this, perhaps on the website. I have no idea how to do this but if you are interested please feel free to post or use the attached material, or indeed contact my mother, Anita St John Gray [email protected]
Another thought – Anita is visiting us here in Singapore in April. My father served out here for a number of tours with the Royal Marines in Borneo and on the Malay Thai border in the 1960s and she was also here for several years with him. Perhaps we could ask her to do a talk on the Combat Art project to Sandbag or arrange a small exhibition of the Royal Marines’ art?
You may also find the attached press releases and documents interesting:
1. Afgan Press Release. Afghan Press R today 1
2. Combat Art Flyer. CombatFlyer
3. Catalogue. Catalogue1lowres
4. Reception Invitation. CombatInviteReception
