Faces of Courage - through the eyes of the Army Artist

Capturing a unique time in our nation’s military history is the passion of the current New Zealand Army Artist, Captain Matt Gauldie.

An exhibition of his works, some which have never been on public display before, is to be officially launched at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Tuesday, 22 April 2008 (6.30pm).

The launch will be attended by Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae, and Deputy Chief of Army, Brigadier Phil Gibbons.

Many of the oil paintings have never been seen by the public and have been especially finished for this exhibition.

It will also be the first time that Captain Gauldie’s military works have been available for Auckland to view in an exhibition.

The New Zealand Army hopes that people will visit the paintings and view the experiences and work that our serving men and women face during training in our own camps and operational deployments in trouble spots all over the world.

Captain Gauldie said his paintings allowed the viewer a unique first-hand insight into the absorbing world of the New Zealand Army.

The exhibition includes paintings that span the numerous overseas operations the Army is committed to.

“I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to capture the unique culture and operating environment of the New Zealand Army,” Captain Gauldie said.