Art from behind the wire

Art From Behind the Wire is a new exhibition featuring posters, magazines and other printed material created by Second World War prisoners of war, including Major John Champion de Crespigny.

John was among thousands of Australians made prisoners by the Japanese in the early months of 1942. Captivity at the hands of the Japanese is remembered for merciless brutality however the initial experience in some camps was not harsh.

To maintain the morale of the inmates, Champion de Crespigny and others made posters and produced a magazine, Mark Time, during their time as POWs in Java.

This extraordinary collection offers a glimpse into the uncertainties of life as captives of a cruel and unpredictable enemy.

The exhibition also includes four sketches of the Japanese war crimes trials held on Morotai in December 1945, drawn by Signalman Alex King, a talented professional newspaper artist. King served with the Australian Corps of Signals and was able to observe some of the trials first hand.

These unique original sketches capture the moment when Japanese soldiers attended makeshift courts sitting in the witness chair. They offer a rare insight into both the trial process and the individuals accused of war crimes.

The exhibition is in the Memorial’s Auditorium on Lower Ground level. The Memorial is open every day, 9am to 5pm. Please note that access to the exhibition is dependent on the Auditorium’s availability, so we encourage you to call the Memorial in advance on (02) 8262 2900.

Entry is free.