Great War inspiresBailey exhibition

Two years ago an interest in World War I and Australia’s role in it led photojournalist David Bailey to spend six months documenting various battle sites and events connected to the conflict.

Bailey, who began writing articles about the Great War and people connected to it in 2014, said he had always had an interest in the war, with both of his grandfather’s serving during that time.

“In 2014 I started writing articles about the war and then wrote and researched some more before spending six months in France, Belgium and England in 2015,” he said.

Photos taken during that time have been curated into an exhibition that will open this weekend.

“All of them were taken when I was over there, except one which I took in Bunbury of a woman whose father fought in the war,” he said.

“I have tried to tell a story and there is a narrative in the photos; it is not just about the war, it is about the people, the battlefields and the characters.

One of the photographs in the exhibition depicts the burial of the remains of three unknown soldiers at Pozieres in France, which was taken in July last year on the centenary of the Battle of Pozieres.

Bailey said the ongoing effects of the war were still relevant to society today.

“It has been 100 years and the war is still relevant today; it is still throwing up problems and is still affecting families as we speak,” he said.

“WWI was the event that affected culture and society the most and looking at the war and the effect it had is fascinating for me as a fan of history.

“The legacy of the war still exists and is still with us.”

Capturing the Western Front will be held at the Old Courthouse in the ArtGeo Cultural Complex from 3.30-5pm this Saturday, April 15, and then every day from 10am-4pm until April 27.