Salisbury International Arts Festival - Portraits of the Gurkha Soldiers
Salisbury International Arts Festival - Portraits of the Gurkha Soldiers
The Salisbury International Arts Festival has a great tradition of presenting topical and relevant cultural events; reflecting the country’s current interest in the welfare of Gurkhas in a timely fashion given the high profile campaign led by Joanna Lumley, we are delighted to present a wonderful exhibition of portraits of these remarkable people and their glorious landscape:
PORTRAITS OF A PEOPLE: RETIRED GURKHA SOLDIERS
Friday 22 May – Saturday 6 June
Photographer Robert Hollingworth
Salisbury Arts Centre
Free
Photographer Robert Hollingworth has documented the lives of retired British Army Gurkha soldiers in Nepal, capturing intimate and beautiful portraits.
For nearly 200 years, the Gurkhas have helped to fight Britain’s wars and keep the peace. They have won 13 Victoria Crosses and served in most of Britain’s conflicts during that period. Through an exhibition of his work, Robert highlights the spirit and honour of this incredible generation of Nepali people who served for England during World War Two.
Robert is based in the heart of the Cotswolds and travels widely, nationally and internationally, in his work. The images for this exhibition were taken during a visit organised by the Gurkha Welfare Trust, whose office is in Salisbury.
Also Robert will talk about his journey to Nepal and the path to this exhibition together with a representative from the Ghurka Welfare Trust on Saturday 23 May 2pm at Salisbury Arts Centre
The Festival is passionate about reflecting the work of our armed forces and has had many high profile speakers from its ranks. This year we are joined by Robert Kershaw who recently held a senior position within NATO, joined the Parachute Regiment in 1973 and has served actively in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and the first Gulf War, for which he was awarded the US Bronze Star. On Tuesday 2 June 11.30am at Salisbury Arts Centre he will talk about book Never Surrender which captures the authentic voices of the ordinary heroes of the Second World War, from the soldiers fighting abroad to those battling on the home front.
We are also delighted to present Walking Forward; a community arts project for women, living in and around our many forces bases in Wiltshire. Groups of women will be guided by the artist Alex Grant, of Toozalii Community Arts, to design, wax and dye large Batik Flags for an installation in the Cathedral grounds, to be up during the Festival Finale on Saturday 6 June
For further information please contact Rosa Corbishley on 01722 33 22 41 or email rosa@salisburyfestival.co.uk
Booking Information:
Tickets can be purchased in person from Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury Tourist Information Centre Salisbury City Hall or the Festival Office.
Tickets can be purchased by phone or online:
Box Office: 0845 241 9651
To book online visit www.salisburyfestival.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
The Salisbury International Arts Festival has a distinguished history of presenting international arts events both traditional and contemporary across 16 days of celebrations each summer. The Festival has developed into a major annual UK multi-arts event, presenting every major artform, in the stunning setting of in and around Salisbury, Wiltshire. Participants and audiences travel from far and wide.
The Salisbury International Arts Festival is supported by Friends Provident, Wiltshire County Council and Arts Council England – South West.