A passion to portray veteran service
Three and a half years, 101 veterans, 36,000 kilometres, over 6,000 production hours… It may be strange to begin describing a work of art with a set of figures, but they capture what photographer and author Jenani Therone has devoted to bring her fine art publication – Of Service – to life.
‘Through Of Service I want to contribute toward the prevention of veteran suicide – suicide in general for that matter – and inspire the community by portraying not only their selfless service and sacrifices, but also their life after service,’ says Jenani.
‘It gives an opportunity to our society to recognise, respect and humanise our veterans as individuals instead of segregating and estranging them collectively. It’s the least we could do for those who have fought and made immense sacrifices for the freedom and democracy we enjoy.’
The outcome is a collection of 101 conceptualised veteran portraits from across the nation. They span people aged 27 to 102, from all walks of service, and deployments from the Second World War to Afghanistan.
Jenani started her professional life as a dietician and saw patients who experienced issues with their mental health. Her concept for Of Service is unique in approach and execution, meant to ignite meaningful conversations about veterans and their wellbeing in our society.
‘I wanted to humanise and individualise our veterans by projecting them with living portraits in a familiar context and sharing their stories,’ she says. ‘As an artist, I wanted to see how I can offer solace, offer hope.’
One of the veterans featured is former Lance Corporal Luke Stewart, whose self-awareness, compassionate outlook on life, and profound transformation journey astounded Jenani. ‘I think it is important that my role in Of Service is to get up and be as vulnerable, and speak as much truth as I can,’ Luke told her. ‘As time unfolded, I was able to unpack all the trauma I have not only gone through in the military, but have been avoiding my whole life.
‘I think a lot of people feel discarded. This brings everyone back together: Hey, we know it is hard, we have been through this, we know you guys are struggling, but your suffering will end. There is light at the end of the tunnel.’
Jenani says the veterans wanted to be part of this project not to share their achievements or medals, but to help others by sharing their story. ‘There are veterans in this book who have tried to take their lives not once, but three or four times,’ she says. ‘When I started meeting each person, they started to share… and not in the sense of their service stories, but their vulnerability.’
Another volunteer for the project is former Leading Seaman, Cook and Submariner Racheal Bingham, who was one of the first 6 females in the world to qualify for the Collins-class submarine. ‘I always knew in high school, year ten even, that I was joining the Navy, I was leaving, I was going to bring myself up, and I did,’ Racheal said.
‘Rach’s path was filled with impediments and tears flowed freely during my time with her,’ Jenani recalls. ‘Words could not capture the overwhelming emotions that coursed through me as I realised the profound impact she intended to make.’
Her artistic approach was to try and connect with each individual to create the portrait. The works are natural, nothing is posed, and took place in spaces that were meaningful to the subjects and made them feel comfortable.
‘It’s an image we created together, in that raw spontaneous moment, on that day, that reflects the conversation, our connection, and how they perceive and want to portray themselves. I wanted to capture the positive spark that comes from within that veteran.
‘It’s been healing for me as a person, and I want that for other people as well: to live your life to your fullest potential. To ask, in those moments of despair, why not give it another go?’
Of Service was launched at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance on 20 June 2024, exactly 3 years since the day Jenani met her first veteran. All profits from the sale of the first edition will be donated to registered charities that align with the purpose of the artist and the project. 656 pages, $279 plus postage; available from www.jenanitherone.com.au.
Images: Stephanie Fraser, a former Petty Officer Combat Systems Operator – Underwater (left) appears on the cover of Of Service with Jenani Therone. Luke Stewart. Racheal Bingham
