The 1982 Uncovered exhibition took place at the Chapel of St Peter’s College, University of Oxford from 4-18 November 2022.

 The exhibition showcased over 150 artworks and photographs exploring the themes of heritage, remembrance, terrain, conflict, trauma, and catharsis. Funded by the University of Oxford and curated by Dr Tim Clack (Oxford) and Prof Tony Pollard (Glasgow), the exhibition was free and open to the public.

During his speech at the opening, Tim Clack said, ‘Conscious of the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War, the 1982 Uncovered exhibition was not only a poignant vehicle of remembrance but, in light of current world events, a means to encourage contemplation of the long-term aftermaths – from the material to the psychological – of warfare.’

Doug Farthing MBE, the primary artist featured in the exhibition, is a veteran of the British Army's Parachute Regiment and the Project Artist on the Falklands War Mapping Project. Funded by Oxford University, Doug Farthing travelled with Tim Clack to the Falkland Islands as part of the latter’s ‘Art and Conflict Heritage’ project work.

Doug said, ‘I was thrilled that my artwork was exhibited in Oxford. Accompanying the team, I learnt so much from the people and communities of the Falkland Islands, what happened in 1982 from different first-person and material perspectives, and about archaeology as an instrument to understand the past. I tried to capture this in my art as well as the importance of sensitivity in dealing with people’s personal battles and the material remains of those conflicts still in living memory.’

At the centre of the exhibition was ‘The Drawing Line’, which consisted of 74 artworks by Doug; one for each day of the conflict. These were consciously not displayed in chronological order so as to represent how memories of events are subjective and distort over time but moments remain vivid and potent over (and beyond) lifetimes. Symbolising the centrality of trade to the history of the South Atlantic, the ink used was salvaged from the John R. Kelly, a wooden sailing ship, which was wrecked on rocks near Port William in the Falkland Islands in 1899.

Doug’s final artworks produced for the exhibition were a pair of large oil pieces entitled ‘Conflict Aftermath’. These comprise a ‘layering’ of the imagery and emotion depicted in his other project works. The resultant depth, symbolises not only processes of memory formation but also the horizons of time dealt with by archaeologists.

Doug’s artworks are to be sold to raise funds for the Falklands War Mapping Project. As he put it, ‘I want to help ensure that more veterans of the Falklands War can have the opportunity to go back and see the beauty there, and also confront their memories and get some closure.’ The 1982 Uncovered exhibition was thus likely the only time that the ‘The Drawing Line’ and Doug’s other project works were displayed together.

The tapestry artist, Katie Russell also had artworks exhibited. Her artworks in the exhibition were all hand-woven using cotton, jute, linen, and wool from Harris, Shetland, and the Falkland Islands. These materials were selected as their origins resonate with the project and, given the Scottish and Falklands connection, the Battle of Mount Tumbledown in particular. As texture and colour are incredibly important in weaving, Katie used traditional and modern techniques to create raised surfaces and give different feels and perspectives to her exhibited works.

A selection of images of veterans of the Falklands War (known in Argentina as Guerra de las Malvinas) by the Argentine photographer, Tomás Morrison were also exhibited. These were evocative and their inclusion testament to the fact that, in the main, veterans from both sides of the conflict are respectful of each other, how they fought, and what they endured. Other exhibited photography included works from Dave Pope, Sue Luxton, Tim Clack and Tony Pollard.

A number of school children from the Falkland Islands also had their artworks exhibited.

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The exhibition was accompanied by an Open Access/ free-to-download digital book on the Falklands War Mapping Project and its artworks.

  “Profound, poignant and powerful.”   ‘Art as potent witness to a landscape transforming from the carnage of war to the tranquillity of today.’   ‘The paintings, weavings, photographs, remains, and artefacts worked together so well. The artists and curators should be incredibly proud of what they achieved.’   ‘An amazing exhibition and experience – a real pleasure, thank you.’   ‘The children’s artworks were not out of place surrounded by professional artists – an extraordinary achievement!’   ‘I served in the Falklands in 1982 and this exhibition really took me back there.’   ‘Wonderful exhibition which captures a multitude of emotion, colour and experience.’   ‘I fought on Two Sisters – This will take me a few weeks to process – profound.’   ‘Thank you for not treating visitors as a threat and not hiding or ‘protecting’ everything under bulletproof glass!’   ‘Poignant and moving.’   ‘The exhibition was curated brilliantly. I found the whole exhibition incredibly emotional.’   ‘Balanced and inspirational.’   ‘Getting so close to the artworks was fantastic. Experiencing the smell and topography of the oils and wools was a rare treat.’   ‘Memorable and moving exhibition documenting the aftermath and memoryscape of war. Thank you.’   ‘My husband served in the Falklands War. He died last year. With the 40th anniversary in the news, I am so glad I came. The exhibition helped me appreciate what he went through but never spoke about.’   ‘A very moving exhibition – lovely to see the development of the artwork.’   ‘The interactive parts of the exhibition – the notebooks, sketch pads and preliminary drawings – meant I felt like I was part of the art-making process.’   ‘I confess to having shed a tear.’   ‘Really loved the artists’ use of camo colours.’   ‘The artwork was powerful. The large photographs of wreckage and memorials were at once haunting and spectacular.’   ‘To hold the exhibition during the month of Remembrance made the whole thing even more evocative.’   ‘A wonderful exhibition, both moving and informative. Delighted to learn about the Mapping Project.’   ‘Pleased to see that the adversaries are not being demonized. The Argentines too fought for what they believed was right, they deserve respect.’   ‘Thanks to the curators and artists for helping us all to fight to not forget.’   ‘Intellectual ammunition – the stuff peace of made of.’   ‘Warmest congratulations on the fine exhibition. It was very well curated and full of various approaches.’

  “Profound, poignant and powerful.”   ‘Art as potent witness to a landscape transforming from the carnage of war to the tranquillity of today.’   ‘The paintings, weavings, photographs, remains, and artefacts worked together so well. The artists and curators should be incredibly proud of what they achieved.’   ‘An amazing exhibition and experience – a real pleasure, thank you.’   ‘The children’s artworks were not out of place surrounded by professional artists – an extraordinary achievement!’   ‘I served in the Falklands in 1982 and this exhibition really took me back there.’   ‘Wonderful exhibition which captures a multitude of emotion, colour and experience.’   ‘I fought on Two Sisters – This will take me a few weeks to process – profound.’   ‘Thank you for not treating visitors as a threat and not hiding or ‘protecting’ everything under bulletproof glass!’   ‘Poignant and moving.’   ‘The exhibition was curated brilliantly. I found the whole exhibition incredibly emotional.’   ‘Balanced and inspirational.’   ‘Getting so close to the artworks was fantastic. Experiencing the smell and topography of the oils and wools was a rare treat.’   ‘Memorable and moving exhibition documenting the aftermath and memoryscape of war. Thank you.’   ‘My husband served in the Falklands War. He died last year. With the 40th anniversary in the news, I am so glad I came. The exhibition helped me appreciate what he went through but never spoke about.’   ‘A very moving exhibition – lovely to see the development of the artwork.’   ‘The interactive parts of the exhibition – the notebooks, sketch pads and preliminary drawings – meant I felt like I was part of the art-making process.’   ‘I confess to having shed a tear.’   ‘Really loved the artists’ use of camo colours.’   ‘The artwork was powerful. The large photographs of wreckage and memorials were at once haunting and spectacular.’   ‘To hold the exhibition during the month of Remembrance made the whole thing even more evocative.’   ‘A wonderful exhibition, both moving and informative. Delighted to learn about the Mapping Project.’   ‘Pleased to see that the adversaries are not being demonized. The Argentines too fought for what they believed was right, they deserve respect.’   ‘Thanks to the curators and artists for helping us all to fight to not forget.’   ‘Intellectual ammunition – the stuff peace of made of.’   ‘Warmest congratulations on the fine exhibition. It was very well curated and full of various approaches.’

  “Profound, poignant and powerful.”   ‘Art as potent witness to a landscape transforming from the carnage of war to the tranquillity of today.’   ‘The paintings, weavings, photographs, remains, and artefacts worked together so well. The artists and curators should be incredibly proud of what they achieved.’   ‘An amazing exhibition and experience – a real pleasure, thank you.’   ‘The children’s artworks were not out of place surrounded by professional artists – an extraordinary achievement!’   ‘I served in the Falklands in 1982 and this exhibition really took me back there.’   ‘Wonderful exhibition which captures a multitude of emotion, colour and experience.’   ‘I fought on Two Sisters – This will take me a few weeks to process – profound.’   ‘Thank you for not treating visitors as a threat and not hiding or ‘protecting’ everything under bulletproof glass!’   ‘Poignant and moving.’   ‘The exhibition was curated brilliantly. I found the whole exhibition incredibly emotional.’   ‘Balanced and inspirational.’   ‘Getting so close to the artworks was fantastic. Experiencing the smell and topography of the oils and wools was a rare treat.’   ‘Memorable and moving exhibition documenting the aftermath and memoryscape of war. Thank you.’   ‘My husband served in the Falklands War. He died last year. With the 40th anniversary in the news, I am so glad I came. The exhibition helped me appreciate what he went through but never spoke about.’   ‘A very moving exhibition – lovely to see the development of the artwork.’   ‘The interactive parts of the exhibition – the notebooks, sketch pads and preliminary drawings – meant I felt like I was part of the art-making process.’   ‘I confess to having shed a tear.’   ‘Really loved the artists’ use of camo colours.’   ‘The artwork was powerful. The large photographs of wreckage and memorials were at once haunting and spectacular.’   ‘To hold the exhibition during the month of Remembrance made the whole thing even more evocative.’   ‘A wonderful exhibition, both moving and informative. Delighted to learn about the Mapping Project.’   ‘Pleased to see that the adversaries are not being demonized. The Argentines too fought for what they believed was right, they deserve respect.’   ‘Thanks to the curators and artists for helping us all to fight to not forget.’   ‘Intellectual ammunition – the stuff peace of made of.’   ‘Warmest congratulations on the fine exhibition. It was very well curated and full of various approaches.’

  “Profound, poignant and powerful.”   ‘Art as potent witness to a landscape transforming from the carnage of war to the tranquillity of today.’   ‘The paintings, weavings, photographs, remains, and artefacts worked together so well. The artists and curators should be incredibly proud of what they achieved.’   ‘An amazing exhibition and experience – a real pleasure, thank you.’   ‘The children’s artworks were not out of place surrounded by professional artists – an extraordinary achievement!’   ‘I served in the Falklands in 1982 and this exhibition really took me back there.’   ‘Wonderful exhibition which captures a multitude of emotion, colour and experience.’   ‘I fought on Two Sisters – This will take me a few weeks to process – profound.’   ‘Thank you for not treating visitors as a threat and not hiding or ‘protecting’ everything under bulletproof glass!’   ‘Poignant and moving.’   ‘The exhibition was curated brilliantly. I found the whole exhibition incredibly emotional.’   ‘Balanced and inspirational.’   ‘Getting so close to the artworks was fantastic. Experiencing the smell and topography of the oils and wools was a rare treat.’   ‘Memorable and moving exhibition documenting the aftermath and memoryscape of war. Thank you.’   ‘My husband served in the Falklands War. He died last year. With the 40th anniversary in the news, I am so glad I came. The exhibition helped me appreciate what he went through but never spoke about.’   ‘A very moving exhibition – lovely to see the development of the artwork.’   ‘The interactive parts of the exhibition – the notebooks, sketch pads and preliminary drawings – meant I felt like I was part of the art-making process.’   ‘I confess to having shed a tear.’   ‘Really loved the artists’ use of camo colours.’   ‘The artwork was powerful. The large photographs of wreckage and memorials were at once haunting and spectacular.’   ‘To hold the exhibition during the month of Remembrance made the whole thing even more evocative.’   ‘A wonderful exhibition, both moving and informative. Delighted to learn about the Mapping Project.’   ‘Pleased to see that the adversaries are not being demonized. The Argentines too fought for what they believed was right, they deserve respect.’   ‘Thanks to the curators and artists for helping us all to fight to not forget.’   ‘Intellectual ammunition – the stuff peace of made of.’   ‘Warmest congratulations on the fine exhibition. It was very well curated and full of various approaches.’

    “Profound, poignant and powerful.”   ‘Art as potent witness to a landscape transforming from the carnage of war to the tranquillity of today.’   ‘The paintings, weavings, photographs, remains, and artefacts worked together so well. The artists and curators should be incredibly proud of what they achieved.’   ‘An amazing exhibition and experience – a real pleasure, thank you.’   ‘The children’s artworks were not out of place surrounded by professional artists – an extraordinary achievement!’   ‘I served in the Falklands in 1982 and this exhibition really took me back there.’   ‘Wonderful exhibition which captures a multitude of emotion, colour and experience.’   ‘I fought on Two Sisters – This will take me a few weeks to process – profound.’   ‘Thank you for not treating visitors as a threat and not hiding or ‘protecting’ everything under bulletproof glass!’   ‘Poignant and moving.’   ‘The exhibition was curated brilliantly. I found the whole exhibition incredibly emotional.’   ‘Balanced and inspirational.’   ‘Getting so close to the artworks was fantastic. Experiencing the smell and topography of the oils and wools was a rare treat.’   ‘Memorable and moving exhibition documenting the aftermath and memoryscape of war. Thank you.’   ‘My husband served in the Falklands War. He died last year. With the 40th anniversary in the news, I am so glad I came. The exhibition helped me appreciate what he went through but never spoke about.’   ‘A very moving exhibition – lovely to see the development of the artwork.’   ‘The interactive parts of the exhibition – the notebooks, sketch pads and preliminary drawings – meant I felt like I was part of the art-making process.’   ‘I confess to having shed a tear.’   ‘Really loved the artists’ use of camo colours.’   ‘The artwork was powerful. The large photographs of wreckage and memorials were at once haunting and spectacular.’   ‘To hold the exhibition during the month of Remembrance made the whole thing even more evocative.’   ‘A wonderful exhibition, both moving and informative. Delighted to learn about the Mapping Project.’   ‘Pleased to see that the adversaries are not being demonized. The Argentines too fought for what they believed was right, they deserve respect.’   ‘Thanks to the curators and artists for helping us all to fight to not forget.’   ‘Intellectual ammunition – the stuff peace of made of.’   ‘Warmest congratulations on the fine exhibition. It was very well curated and full of various approaches.’

    “Profound, poignant and powerful.”   ‘Art as potent witness to a landscape transforming from the carnage of war to the tranquillity of today.’   ‘The paintings, weavings, photographs, remains, and artefacts worked together so well. The artists and curators should be incredibly proud of what they achieved.’   ‘An amazing exhibition and experience – a real pleasure, thank you.’   ‘The children’s artworks were not out of place surrounded by professional artists – an extraordinary achievement!’   ‘I served in the Falklands in 1982 and this exhibition really took me back there.’   ‘Wonderful exhibition which captures a multitude of emotion, colour and experience.’   ‘I fought on Two Sisters – This will take me a few weeks to process – profound.’   ‘Thank you for not treating visitors as a threat and not hiding or ‘protecting’ everything under bulletproof glass!’   ‘Poignant and moving.’   ‘The exhibition was curated brilliantly. I found the whole exhibition incredibly emotional.’   ‘Balanced and inspirational.’   ‘Getting so close to the artworks was fantastic. Experiencing the smell and topography of the oils and wools was a rare treat.’   ‘Memorable and moving exhibition documenting the aftermath and memoryscape of war. Thank you.’   ‘My husband served in the Falklands War. He died last year. With the 40th anniversary in the news, I am so glad I came. The exhibition helped me appreciate what he went through but never spoke about.’   ‘A very moving exhibition – lovely to see the development of the artwork.’   ‘The interactive parts of the exhibition – the notebooks, sketch pads and preliminary drawings – meant I felt like I was part of the art-making process.’   ‘I confess to having shed a tear.’   ‘Really loved the artists’ use of camo colours.’   ‘The artwork was powerful. The large photographs of wreckage and memorials were at once haunting and spectacular.’   ‘To hold the exhibition during the month of Remembrance made the whole thing even more evocative.’   ‘A wonderful exhibition, both moving and informative. Delighted to learn about the Mapping Project.’   ‘Pleased to see that the adversaries are not being demonized. The Argentines too fought for what they believed was right, they deserve respect.’   ‘Thanks to the curators and artists for helping us all to fight to not forget.’   ‘Intellectual ammunition – the stuff peace of made of.’   ‘Warmest congratulations on the fine exhibition. It was very well curated and full of various approaches.’