Last updated: 21 April 2011
From Northern Ireland and the Falklands to Iraq and Afghanistan, 'Conflicts of Interest' explores over three decades of conflict, examining the role of the British Army across the globe and the impact being a serviceman or woman has on home life.
This major new redisplay of the National Army Museum's 'Modern Army' gallery will focus on key international conflicts as well as debating domestic issues and questions relating to the modern military. The exhibition will include personal accounts from servicemen and women and civilians, alongside exclusive images and objects from the Museum's collections.
The exhibition's Afghanistan area sheds light on the intensity of the recent fighting and the British Army's long history in the region. Incorporating recent and historic images of Afghanistan, first-hand accounts from servicemen and women and news footage of the war, the area explores the reasons behind British engagement and the results of the conflict. The exhibition also contrasts the first and second Gulf Wars; with chemical warfare kit and a painting by war artist John Keane; highlighting the threats faced by forces during the 1990-1991 conflict. The zone dedicated to the recent 2nd Gulf War includes a portrait of Saddam Hussein previously displayed in Basra airport.
The space devoted to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo explores varying levels of British military engagement during the 1990s - looking at the army both as UN peace-keeping force, and when engaged in full conflict under NATO. The exhibition will include newly displayed images depicting the aftermath of fighting in Kosovo along with accounts of the operations. Exclusive material will also be on view in the Sierra Leone zone, including interviews with senior British officers serving on the ground, and previously unseen documents.
Conflicting communities and war close to home will be the focus in the Northern Ireland section, where a bomb disposal device will be displayed alongside images from 30 years of involvement in the region including art by Ralph Lilford and leaflets and murals from cities in the territory. The Falklands area will consider questions of patriotism, and domestic support for war - incorporating British footage and newsreel, as well as comment from Argentine civilians.
The exhibition's 'At Home' area is themed around some of the most pressing issues facing the military today - from changing attitudes towards gender and sexuality in the army through to debates around equality, including oral histories from Gurkhas and injured servicemen and women. The section will look at the effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, crime and homelessness amongst veterans, the implications of the military covenant, and will also present personal accounts from the families of servicemen and women.
'Conflicts of Interest' will look at operations in which the British military have been involved to a lesser extent through 'Conflicting Opinions' - an interactive space inviting contribution and comment. The exhibition will consider the consequences of both intervention and interaction, looking at two conflicts in which British troops were involved on a lesser scale. This area will be a forum for debate both within the exhibition and online, as visitors can access and interact with the 'Conflicting Opinions' section via the website, where there will be an opportunity to share opinions and take part in a poll on the conflicts depicted. Visitors will also be invited - both online and within the Museum - to help to shape the exhibition, and vote for a third conflict to be included in the space when the 'Conflicting Opinions' zone is updated in November. The website will launch to coincide with the exhibition opening in September.
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For more information please contact Colman Getty Consultancy:
The National Army Museum explores the impact of the British Army on the story of Britain, Europe and the world; how Britain's past has helped to shape our present and our future and how the actions of a few can affect the futures of many.
The National Army Museum was established by Royal Charter to tell the story of the Land Forces of the crown wherever they were raised. Opened by the queen in 1960, it moved to its current site in Chelsea in 1971.
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