A new exhibition displaying the artwork of British Far East prisoners of War (FEPOW) has opened at Liverpool University’s Victoria Gallery & Museum.
The exhibition provides a unique and fascinating glimpse of the battle to survive extreme adversity in wartime and the self-help strategies used by British servicemen including making art as therapy.
Secret Art of Survival was opened by art dealer and broadcaster Philip Mould OBE at a special private viewing and is a collaboration between the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and the museum.
Speaking at the event, Philip said: “The art of revelation you are about to witness has absolutely everything…fantasy and escapism, and you can’t stop that.
“This subject is so riveting…it demonstrates how art can raise itself and the human condition above the parapet of mere survival.”
LSTM’s Director, Professor David Lalloo, said: “It is the first time that so much previously unrecognised art has been brought together in combination with a vast programme of public lectures, talks, study days, film nights and school outreach.”
The exhibition is open until 20th June 2020 at the Victoria Gallery & Museum in Ashton Street, Liverpool L69 2DR.
