Vietnam on Canvas

Vietnam on Canvas is a beautiful and sensitive account of the life and work of Australian official war artist Ken McFadyen. At 37 years of age Ken McFadyen became an official war artist serving with 2 RAR on their tour of duty in South Vietnam in 1968-1969.

Lieutenant McFadyen’s success as a soldier and artist was summed up by his former Commanding Officer, Brigadier Noel Charlesworth, who wrote: ‘When he was dressed in uniform, stripped bare to the waist, his head shaven, he became a digger, and looked like any other soldier. But when he ventured out on patrol laden with army gear and armaments he was recognisable as an artist. His art—board would be strapped on his back and he would be carrying afew satchels of art materials’.

58 images of Ken McFadyen’s paintings and charcoal sketches help tell the story of the day to day operations of the Australian Task Force in Vietnam.