HOME FRONT exposes the often-camouflaged reality of family and domestic violence within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) community. The ANZAC legend that props up our Australian identity also prevents the public scrutiny of who our ADF personnel actually are.

They are men, women and others, just like the rest of our society. They are our sons, daughters and family members; our fathers, mothers and care-givers; husbands, wives and partners; and, they are our grandparents too. The simple truth is; they’re every-day members of our society, just like all Australians. 

The issue they face however, is that their experiences of family and domestic violence is hidden behind a lead-lined curtain, one which has “ANZAC” emblazoned right across it! These soldiers, sailors and airmen - their families and their children - are muffled and gagged in their struggles and pain, because who dares to speak out and tarnish today’s “ANZACs” with anything more than the “Hero” tag they’re so often given?

Our Veterans hurt. They hurt well before they were considered ANZAC’s at Gallipoli and they still hurt today. That hurt can manifest in all manners of ways. The artist’s exhibiting in this exhibition are veterans; partners of veterans; and children of veterans. They offer you a window into the silence that surrounds their ANZAC lives, one that is deafening.

Ron Bradfield Jnr