Description
Object description
Oil on canvas painted by Jen Gash, the Winner's final commission for the Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2018. It deals with a story that IWM pinpointed as being important, not represented well in our collection, and uniquely fitting for a landscape painting: the result is a contemporary view over Kosturino Ridge, the site of the 10th (Irish) Division's line and the Battle of Kosturino in 1915, and a vantage point not reached by any official First World War Artist.
Image: from a vantage point at the top of Kosturino Ridge, a gap in the rocks opens out onto a scene of undulating hills in the valley below, uninterrupted by people or animals. The artist uses a palette of warm orange, brown, terracotta , green and sienna tones to evoke the warmth of the Greek-Macedonian landscape.
Label
Artist
Jen Gash, Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2018, was commissioned by IWM to paint the landscape of Kosturino Ridge in present-day Macedonia. To make this painting, Gash climbed to a vantage point not reached by any official First World War artist.
Image
Gash's painting reflects on the First World War Battle of Kosturino as it impacted on the landscape and communities at the Balkans Front. More than one hundred years on, the conflict continues to shape and scar the physical and social character of the region.
History
During the Battle of Kosturino, the inexperienced 10th (Irish) Division faced an invading Bulgarian Army, resulting in heavy losses. Hard-pressed by disease and the enemy, they fought over treacherous and often impassable terrain. Their defeat led to the complete withdrawal of Allied forces from Serbia. This battle is a forgotten story of the conflict and the experiences of soldiers on the Balkans front are not well remembered.
Label
Land heals, Memories Remain, 2018
By Jen Gash
Oil on Canvas
Jen Gash, Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2018, was commissioned by IWM to paint the landscape of Kosturino Ridge in present-day Macedonia.
During the First World War Battle of Kosturino in 1915, the inexperienced 10th (Irish) Division faced an invading Bulgarian Army, resulting in heavy losses. Their defeat led to the complete withdrawal of Allied forces from Serbia. The battle is a forgotten story of the conflict and the experiences of soldiers on the Balkans front are not well remembered. They were hard-pressed by disease and the enemy whilst also fighting over treacherous and often impassable terrain.
Jen's painting is a reflection on how this battle had an impact on the Kosturino Ridge valley landscape and communities, and how the First World War still shapes the world we live in today.
History note
Painting acquired directly from artist.
