Guildford House is playing host to Caught in the Crossfire, a touring exhibition of artistic responses to conflict, peace and reconciliation
Featuring work from private collections as well as the award-winning Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry, this powerful exhibition comes to Guildford from Dresden, Germany, a city all but razed in the Second World War. It uses the perspectives of civilians, politicians and soldiers to explore the impact of conflict - and the hope for peace.
Caught in the Crossfire exploits an array of media and viewpoints to demonstrate how artists have reacted to terror, violence, division and unity at different points in history. From Banksy's graffiti stencils to the burned paper-models of Matthew Picton, something new presents itself at every turn.
Along with the Herbert Gallery, the exhibition is co-curated by Nicola Gauld, who will be giving a talk on the ideas and artwork it presents on February 14. To her, the artwork is not just about "the often brutal imagery of conflict and the terrible destruction it can cause, but to also show that art can be used for protest, and that ultimately the aftermath can be peaceful."
Featured artists are Al Johnson, Banksy, Barnbrook Design, Blek Le Rat, Conrad Atkinson, Ian Berry, John Keane, Jamal Penjweny, kennardphillipps (main picture), Michael Peel, Peter Howson, Peter Kennard, Simon Norfolk, and Thomas Galler.
Caught in the Crossfire is on display from Jan 31 to Feb 28, 11am to 4pm, Monday to Saturday, at Guildford House, 155 High Street, Guildford. Admission is free.
Nicola Gauld will give her talk Caught in the Crossfire: a curator's perspective on Feb 14, starting 2.30pm, ending 3.30pm, at Guildhall, High Street. Tickets are £3, available from Guildford Museum.
Further details can be found on the Guildford Borough website
