Exhibited in 2018-19, Soldiers was created to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end World War One. The paintings were executed on Kraft paper, the medium a mixture of pastel and acrylic. Painting dimensions were uniform 100 x 90 cm.

 

A fully illustrated limited edition soft cover book (205 x 305 mm) numbering 275, was written and produced by Tom and designed by BAMLondon. Titled 33 Soldiers each book is signed and numbered by the artist and can be purchased for £25 Including postage and packaging.

 

Buy a '33 Soldiers' book

 

Extract from the book introduction by Elizabeth Dent.
The stories of the men and women in Soldiers are as important as the paintings, recording what they are in paint and what they have done in words. Tom McKendrick allows them to speak for themselves but in such a way that you are drawn to look again from first impression. After reading their stories you will look at each portrait in a new light. A vast range of personal experience of conflict is represented. From 100 year old Jimmy Gillies, who was at Dunkirk, Allan McKinlay at Anzio and Major Mandy Islam who saw service in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. All of these different stories are of survivors but they represent millions of untold stories from WW1 to the present day. The men and women who look out at us are dignified, determined and stoical. They bear witness to many of the horrors of war. They all take great pride in having served their country. Tom McKendrick’s work has in many cases shown a fascination with destruction. In exploring some of the horrors of conflict Tom is capable of creating objects and paintings of great beauty. He does not glory war but in this exhibition he honours ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things.

 

Therein lies some hope for the future. It is a fitting memorial to all soldiers and to the Centenary of the end of the “war to end all wars”

 

Elizabeth M Dent.