Small study of Frederick Varley’s Canadian Soldier, 1942.

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Studies such as this one (of Varley’s original painting) inform my research and development for my large, multi-year graphic novel project, “Occupation: The Long Shadow.” This project centres mainly on my Norwegian grandfather’s written accounts of his time as a POW from 1942–45 in Norway, Germany, and Poland.

“Canadian Soldier“ also connects me deeper to a collaborative “dance” with my extraordinary niece, Dr. Emma Varley (the great-granddaughter of Frederick Varley) as she develops her profound research around the ways we care for and engage with objects and places carrying difficult histories. It feels especially meaningful (and delicious) to have our family histories (in particular at the time of WWII) come together through our research and creative practices.

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Resource:

Varley, Peter. Frederick H. Varley. Toronto: Key Porter Books, 1983.