Angels of Life 1
Angels of Life 1 (2008) oil on canvas with collage 60 x 40 cms
One of a series of three
After Nong Pladuk, the prisoners were transported by train to Bangkok, en route for Ubon. On the journey, they passed a field of yellow butterflies. It was such an amazing sight, it was something my father often recalled and which has been described in other accounts of prisoners' memoires.
In the three and a half years of captivity, thousands of POWs died of starvation, tropical diseases or brutality. My father said it was his sense of humour and age (he was 36 when captured) that helped him survive. He also said that he constantly marvelled at the beauty and freedom of the tropical butterflies in such an unforgiving world.
Limited edition giclee prints available to purchase - framed or unframed. Price on application.