Far from Home explores the rich history of a Canadian regiment with a century-long legacy of service in both conflict and peace. Raised by the philanthropic efforts of Montreal’s Hamilton Gault, the Regiment was quickly assembled with highly qualified men selected for their physical prowess and prior military or police experience. Notably, many of these recruits came from Western Canada, infusing the Regiment with a distinctive regional character. This preparedness allowed the Patricia’s to land in France on December 21, 1914, marking them as the first and only Canadian infantry regiment in the war’s theatre that year.
The 110th anniversary exhibition showcases works primarily created by artists who were directly present at the sites of the depicted events. These individuals, whether amateur or professional, often included soldiers themselves. For instance, Jack MacLaren, a Corporal in the Patricia’s during World War I, painted the watercolours featured in the exhibition while he was actively serving in France and Belgium.
Other notable artists featured in the exhibition include Charles Comfort and Gertrude Kearns, CM. Charles Comfort, a Canadian civilian artist, is renowned for his famous Sergeant Ford watercolour, created during the World War II Italian Campaign. Gertrude Kearns, also a Canadian civilian, is celebrated for her “Art of Command” portrait series, which she completed while based in Afghanistan.
A highlight of the exhibition is the collection of large paintings by William MacDonnell. These works represent the culmination of sketches and photos he gathered during his time in the Balkans amid the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. Additionally, the show features contributions from civilian artists who, granted special permission to access conflict zones, ventured into dangerous areas to capture their experiences and perspectives, often facing significant risks to their safety.
Far from Home not only chronicles the major global conflicts in which the Patricia’s have participated since 1914 but also highlights the crucial role of art in recording and interpreting the nation’s history. The exhibition underscores how artistic expressions offer valuable insights into the experiences and impacts of these historical events.
The exhibition is guest curated by Lieutenant-Colonel William (Bill) Bewick OMM, CD (Retd), with assistance from Dick Averns. Bill Bewick served with the PPCLI for 35 years before retiring. After his military career, he pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Alberta University of the Arts, graduating with distinction in 2000, with a major in Painting.
Bill Bewick has sold his artwork both privately and through the Kensington Fine Arts Gallery in Calgary. He has also completed several large painting commissions for the Patricia’s and undertaken projects for Calgary-based reserve units in preparation for the centennial commemoration of the First World War.
From 1999 until 2018, Bill Bewick worked as a continuing education art instructor for the Calgary Board of Education. During this time, he was also commissioned to create a sixty-panel mural for the Lethbridge Military Museum, which was unveiled in 2018.
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