War artist student set to hold illustrated talk about his experiences
30/01/2012 08:35
A third year Illustration student at Cardiff Metropolitan University, who spent a month embedded with British troops as a war artist in Afghanistan, will be giving an illustrated talk about his experiences at Howard Gardens Lecture Theatre on Monday 6th February.
Dan Peterson, 44, is in his final year of an Illustration degree at the Cardiff School of Art and Design. He has recently returned from a month in Helmand Province with the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, also known as the Welsh Cavalry.
Whilst in Afghanistan, Dan was taken out on patrols and saw live operations in Helmand Province, and produced sketches and drawings during his visit. He will be making paintings and prints over the coming months.
Dan is a former member of the Territorial Army as well as studying illustration, and was keen to experience life as a war artist.
Dan said: “I was looking into war art and perception as part of my dissertation research, and as part of the course I interviewed the war artist Matthew Cook, in London.
“I was fascinated by his work and by the discovery that there are still active war artists today, as most of my previous research had focussed on the Second World War and earlier.
Dan, who is a married father of four, spoke to his contacts in the army and 18 months later, was on his way to Afghanistan. He is producing a visual diary of his experiences, as well as paintings and prints, many of which will be given back to the regiment. Dan’s experiences will also contribute towards his final degree as part of his dissertation and the course’s ‘Real World’ module, where students are encouraged to gain work experience.
Dan, who hopes to work as a freelance illustrator on completion of his course, said: “I would like to return to Afghanistan at some point in the future and produce further work showing what life is like for British troops fighting on the front line”.
Dan will be giving an illustrated Monday Muse talk about his experiences in Howard Gardens lecture theatre at 4pm on 6 Feb. Staff, students and guests welcome.