Unloading the Tobruk at Mogadishu wharf, Somalia
This painting depicts Australian Army and Navy troops alongside local Somali volunteers unloading urgently needed relief supplies from HMAS Tobruk onto waiting trucks on the Mogadishu Wharf, Somalia
- About George Gittoes
George Gittoes was born in Brighton-le-Sands, New South Wales. George’s father, Claude, was Secretary of the Department of Main Roads and his mother, Joyce, was an artist and potter. Both parents encouraged George as an artist.
In 1969 he travelled to the United States where he was influenced by the African American social -realist painter, Joe Delaney. Returning to Australia he began to paint figurative images and co-founded with fellow artist Martin Sharp the ‘Yellow House’, a multi-media environmental gallery and performance space complex.
His powerful images explore his personal concerns with war and violence in places such as Cambodia, Somalia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Israel and Palestine. During the 1980s his work included holograms, installations, film and performance pieces.
George is recognized as an Australian artist, film producer, director and writer. His service to Australia has been recognised by the award of Member of the Order of Australia (1997) “for service to art and international relations as an artist and photographer portraying the effects on the environment of war, international disasters and heavy industry”.
- About HMAS Tobruk (ll)Sailors at work
Since entering World War 1 in 1914 with 16 ships, two submarines and 3800 RAN personnel (including 850 from the Royal Navy) the number of serving personnel in the Royal Australian Navy has fluctuated depending on the strategic and shifting financial environment. Over more than a century, the RAN’s and people have seen action in every ocean of the world.
Of the tens of thousands who have served, 2658 members have made the ultimate sacrifice defending Australia’s interests in warlike and peacetime operations across the globe.
Fortunately, for the vast majority who served in periods of peace or survived periods of hostilities the experience was positive.
In addition to their service in a particular category which involved specific duties, they also participated in communal duties such as coaling ship. Thus, the artworks included in this section relate to a mix of specialist and communal activities.
More reading
- Additional resources for George Gittoes
- Additional resources for HMAS Tobruk (ll)Sailors at work
