​The tragedy of the Great War (1914-1918) was felt in every home in Australia. Over 38% of males of military age enlisted. More than one in three of them died on active service or returned badly wounded.

The scars of that war remain part of our landscape. We can see them in the war memorials that occupy street corners and parks in every city and town.

The Great War generation has long past. The memorials they built are all too frequently ignored. Poets and artists caution against the fading impact of these monuments and the mute testimony they provide to the impact of war.

Domenic Bartolo's work begs us to refocus on these memorials and the lessons of courage, endurance and sacrifice they tell.

The Anzac Memorial Veteran Artist in Residence program is an opportunity to support veteran artists by providing the time and space for artists to creatively explore the Anzac Memorial and provide a contemporary reflection on service and sacrifice for today's audiences. The program won the Innovation & Resilience Award at Museum & Galleries NSW's IMAGinE Awards 2022.

The Anzac Memorial is administered by a Board of Trustees appointed under the Anzac Memorial (Building) Act 1923. The Hon David Harris MP represents the NSW Premier as his proxy on the Board and supports this exhibition in this capacity as well as his Parliamentary role as the Minister for Veterans.