A CHARITY supporting veterans in Pembrokeshire has remembered the 100th anniversary of the First World War with an exhibition of hundreds of paintings.

More than 150 people have painted and made art for the VC Gallery’s annual art of remembrance exhibition, which is commemorating the centenary of the end of the First World War this year.

School children, the elderly, community groups, professional artists, and others all took part in creating art themed around the end of war.

“Because remembrance is such a focus, it is really interesting to see how the different groups managed with the subject we gave them,” said gallery founder Barry John.

“With the different paintings, it is very good when you get to the intrinsic story of their communities and their family members.

“Often we uncover the history of family members – when they do they see that relative who served with a bit of respect and it really brings it home for them.”

Barry added: “The art of remembrance is about making sure that we always pay tribute to the men, women, civilians and the animals from both sides of all conflicts, and to showcase the ongoing work of the VC Gallery.”

One of the VC Gallery’s newest artists is Larry Baker of Fishguard, who created a collage for the exhibition called Images of War.

 

Larry Baker of Fishguard with his collage Images of War.

Larry served in the Royal Corp of Transport and has a long family history of relatives who have fought in different conflicts throughout the 20th century.

For him, creating a piece of art for the exhibition was a chance to give back to the gallery, which had supported him with his anxiety and depression.

“If it wasn’t for the VC Gallery I would not have survived,” said Larry. “They have really helped me with my mental health.”

The VC Gallery’s art of remembrance exhibition will be open to the public until the end of November at the former Store Twenty One building on Bridge Street, Haverfordwest.