SAM DABBOUSSY

Prelude 1915

Watercolor on paper

62 x 41cm

“Members of the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance practice boat drills off the island of Lemnos, Greece, in preparation for the landings at Gallipoli, April 1915.”

In researching the Gallipoli campaign, I came across an image that captured my imagination. There was so much to discover in this poignant image that I felt compelled to capture that moment in time using watercolors and monotone sepia pigment. I painted each face as an individual portrait to depict every man’s unique story. Stories of bravery, stoicism, fear, joy and comradery. It is thus up to the viewer to interpret the narrative for each of these men embarking on their historic journey.