Afghanistan: John Martinkus

Guest opening speaker: Mr Andrew Nikolic AM CSC MP, Member for Bass

Exhibition opening: 5.30 - 7pm Friday 28 March

Exhibition curator: Dr Malcom Bywaters

Academy Gallery – McGrath Space

In 2011 John Martinkus was appointed as the Australian War Memorial’s Official Cinematographer to Afghanistan. Martinkus' commission took him into the world of the Australian soldier whose day-to-day realities include the challenges inherent in training Afghan National Army (ANA) members, and disposing of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), identified as the biggest single threat to Australian troops in Afghanistan.

Martinkus' brief was not prescriptive, but intended to allow him as the official cinematographer to bring his personal style to the commission and the finished material produced as a result of the tour.  He was asked to record as sincerely and authentically as possible the life and times of ADF members in an active theatre of war, to document their experiences, whether personal or procedural, for benefit of contemporary and future generations.  In this way he helped build the Memorial’s factual record of the ADF working environment with particular reference to people, events, training scenarios, a working day, and the dynamics between Australians and personnel of other nations, including ISAF and the ANA.

Afghanistan: John Martinkus is presented by the Academy Gallery in partnership with the Australian War Memorial.

NOTE:

The Academy Gallery is closed for Easter holiday time Friday 18 April to Tuesday 22 April.  

The Academy Gallery will be open 12 midday to 3pm on ANZAC DAY Friday 25 April.

^{image credit: Dr John Martinkus at the Afghanistan Pakistan border in 2005.}