Queen and Country: Art Fund research into commemoration in a modern society

On 10 March, RUSI teamed up with The Art Fund, an independent art charity, to host a panel discussion on the topic of “Commemorating our Armed Forces: Remembrance in a Modern Society”. The discussion was hosted by Channel 4 News presenter, Jon Snow and the distinguished panel included contributions from former UK Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt; Director-General of the Imperial War Museum, Diane Lees;  Director-General of the Royal British Legion, Chris Simpkins and David Cotterrell, Artist and Professor of Fine Art at Sheffield Hallam University.

Listen to the discussion - Commemorating our Armed Forces: Remembrance in a Modern Society
 
The discussion coincided with The Art Fund’s display at RUSI of Queen and Country, an artwork dedicated to British Service Personnel killed in Iraq created by Steve McQueen, the Official War Artist for Iraq. The art work takes the form of postage stamps depicting the images of those who died as a result of their Service in Iraq. McQueen has collaborated with 160 bereaved families on the project with the aim of seeing the images issued as real stamps by Royal Mail.
 
The Art Fund is leading a campaign on behalf of Steve McQueen for the stamps to be issued and is carrying out research into the views of those with a connection to the Armed Forces including RUSI members. The Art Fund has designed a short questionnaire to monitor support for the stamp concept. The survey will be open until Monday 31 May 2010.
 
To take part in the research please click here.
 
For more information about Queen and Country or to sign the petition for the stamps please click here