Artists and War

See how this resource aligns to the Australian Curriculum.

Investigations and activities (English/ Arts Focus)

1. Read the rollover text relating to the image The Korean War: an artist’s view and use these prompts to discuss the information in groups:

• I was surprised to find out that …
• The most interesting thing was …
• I’d like to know more about …
• I wonder if …
• I don’t understand …
• I was less interested in …
• I didn’t know that …
• Someone who would be interested in this would be … because …
• This reminded me of …

2. Look closely at the two images created by artist Lim Ok-Sang. What comment is the artist making in the artwork Kim's Family after the Korean War? How does the image make you feel? What questions would you have for the artist?
3. a) Many other artists have produced images commenting on war. Begin with googling the following images or artists and comparing their artworks with the two created by Korean artist Lim Ok-Sang.

• Pablo Picasso’s Guernica
• Pablo Picasso’s Massacre in Korea
• Peter Booth
• George Gittoes
• Australian official war artists from the Australian War Memorial website.

b) Then search for other artists who have created artwork in response to wars. Complete a piece of reflective writing about the images which you find most powerful.

1. A demilitarised zone (DMZ) is a militarised border through a once-unified country. It is as if someone drew a latitude line through your country and sealed off contact. How would you be affected personally if this happened? Who would you be cut off from? Discuss your ideas in pairs. Could this ever happen in Australia? Research the reasons that civil wars have begun and write a short informative essay.
2. French cleric Francois Fenelon once said ‘All wars are civil wars, because all men are brothers.’ Write a response to this quote.
3. The DMZ is a reminder of the conflict that still exists between North and South Korea. It is also a place that foreign tourists visit. Look at the cover image of the Summer 2001 edition of Koreana and at other images of the DMZ in articles in this edition. Discuss your observations. What sort of atmosphere is presented through these images?
4. Many countries create memorials about conflict or tragedy. Make a list of those you know (some starting points might be the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Port Arthur, Gallipoli, Ground Zero in New York). What are some of the issues which arise in regard to these memorials? Choose one for research, presentating the contrasting views and perspectives.

Extension activity: Renowned writer Hwang Sun-Won has written extensively about Korean society. His short story, ‘Time for You and Me Alone’, takes place against the backdrop of an anonymous war. Select the story from the site index of the Korean Literature Today website.