Trench Art: Creativity in the face of conflict

Cheshire Military Museum has a new temporary exhibition looking at the amazing creativity of soldiers, prisoners, the wounded, the carers and civilians during their lives surrounded by conflict in war.

The new temporary exhibition entitled ‘Trench Art; Creativity in the face of conflict’ dates from any period and covers a huge variety of materials and media but is predominantly centred around the 1st World War period, the time of the greatest amount and variety of objects.

Caroline Chamberlain, Curator at Chester Military Museum said; “The exhibition includes objects from our existing collection like Draughts pieces and shell cases. But we have taken the definition of Trench Art further to include not only artefacts but artistic works like drawings, paintings and cartoons and including poetry and performance, where they are a direct reflection of the creator’s experience during war. We also include some commercially produced items which were an expression of support for the military during and after the conflict.”

She added; “Each item has its own unique story to tell and we have tried to convey this and the resourcefulness, skill, talent and waste of war. There are toys, love poems, leather work, toast racks, bracelets and much more; real ‘Trench Craft’, not just ‘Trench Art’.”

Trench Art; Creativity in the face of conflict runs until the Autumn and the Museum is open Thursday to Sundays, 11am to 4pm. last entry is at 3.30pm.