Wendy Sharpe

Sharpe, W. (2000). A group of East Timorese children, Dili, East Timor. Australian War Memorial (East Timorese children | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au)

There are many ways to express the experiences of conflict and deployment. Artists have long history of capturing the experiences of war and conflict. From the drawings and art of those serving to the work of official artists, we are given an insight into the different aspects and individual experiences of service. Renowned Australian artist, Wendy Sharpe, became the first official war artist who was a woman since the Second World War when she was deployed to Timor-Leste to record the work of INTERFET (International Force East Timor).

Many of Wendy’s works depict the children of Timor-Leste, offering a reminder of how conflict impacts people and the vital importance of peacekeeping.

Of her time in Timor-Leste Wendy said, 'There would be so many children around me I would end up painting them... They are so friendly and so warm. When you arrive in Suai you are smiled at and waved at... It's unbelievable that all those terrible things have happened to them. I have heard so many horrific stories ... Children were saying things like "G'day, mate" and "G'day cobber" in perfect accents.' Wendy Sharpe, ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ 31 December 1999. 

Source: Australian War Memorial.