Exhibition in London

An artist who paints war scenes on medical stretchers is among the contemporary artists from nations who fought in the First World War taking part in an exhibition to commemorate the 1914 Christmas truce.

The Pitzhanger Manor House and Gallery in Ealing has artists from Britain, France, Belgium and Germany for the show inspired by the exchange of food and gifts, carol singing and football games which marked the temporary lull in the conflict.

As well as Frenchman Eric Monbel’s stretchers, works by British photographer Paul Hodgson based on the Battle of the Somme, a “shrine” featuring a dismantled mortar bomb by Belgian painter Bruno Van Dijck and panoramas of the French countryside of 1913 by German painter Thomas Lohmann.

Monbel used Second World War stretchers because those from the First World War are too fragile, while modern ones cannot be painted upon.

Carol Swords said she wanted to include artists from the different nations to make people reflect on what had happened.

She said: “The Christmas truce continues to resonate, a century after the event took place — an enduring example of the power of sport during a time of strike.”

The free exhibition opens on Saturday and runs until January 10

Pitzhanger Manor House & Gallery
Walpole Park, Mattock Lane
Ealing, London W5 5EQ
(View map)

T: 020 8567 1227
F: 020 8567 0595
E: pitzhanger@ealing.gov.uk

Admission and opening hours

Admission to the house and gallery is free

Monday           CLOSED

Tuesday         1pm – 5pm

Wednesday   1pm – 5pm

Thursday        1pm – 5pm

Friday              1pm – 5pm

Saturday         11am – 5pm

Sunday            1pm – 5pm (May-September only)

We will be open on Sunday 9 November from 11am-4pm for Remembrance Sunday.

Please note: We are closed on bank holidays. During the Christmas period we will be closed from 25-29 December (inclusive) and 1 January 2015.