JULIANNE ROSS ALLCORN
Letters, Parcels and News from home
Mixed media on vintage pianola rolls of war songs
170 x 128cm
“Letters, Parcels and News from Home” is created in oil, pencil and chalk pastel on 4 vintage pianola scrolls of the songs ‘Along the Road to Gundagai’ [1921], ‘Victory Polka’ [1943], ‘Till the End of Time’ [1945] and ‘This is Worth Fighting For’ [1942]. The fragile paper carries layers of research from old letters, original stamps, Red Cross parcels and stories of messages and supplies dropped from the air to service men and women across the Pacific.
The work honours the courage of the Coastwatchers both Allies and New Guineans and reflects on the fall of Rabaul, PNG in 1942 and what followed.
It is deeply personal, drawing on my grandfather’s WW2 diary entries from his service in both world wars and my earliest childhood memories are of playing on the many war relics around the town and plantations. Reflecting on memories of conversations and shared stories with many who lived through WW1 and WW2.
Out of deep respect for all who served I hope these songs are given voice again through paint and memory.
