MEDIA RELEASE

Significant ANZAC Artwork Released for the 97th Anniversary of Gallipoli

"This painting is the most accurate depiction to date of the dawn landing at Anzac Cove on 25th April 1915. It captures the essence of the action some thirty minutes after the initial landing and strips away the myth associated with this iconic action in Australian military history. Clearly, the artist has researched the subject meticulously, down to the details of the uniforms, headdress and equipment worn that day, the terrain, the shipping offshore, and the light casualties sustained by the Australians around the cove at the beginning of the action." Brigadier Chris Roberts AM, CSC (Rtd).

The Spirit - Gallipoli Landing 1915 by the renowned military artist David Rowlands was commissioned by Sands of Gallipoli and the painting was completed in late 2011. David Rowlands is one of the world's finest living military artists. His atmospheric oil paintings present a realistic record of the dramatic events of war and have won him Royal favour and commissions from military organisations around the world.

Brigadier Chris Roberts, a well regarded and published Gallipoli historian worked tirelessly with the team at the Australian Army History Unit on assisting the artist with the historic content. Brigadier Roberts has had a distinguished career from active service in South Vietnam as a troop commander with the 3rd SAS Squadron to being appointed Commanding Officer of the SAS Regiment. Chris has published three papers: "The landing at Anzac: a re-assessment" Journal of the Australian War Memorial, No 22 April 1993; Chinese Strategy and the Spratly Islands Dispute, working paper No 293 Strategic & Defence Studies Centre, ANU; and "Turkish machine guns at the landing" Wartime, No 50 April 2010.

This significant artwork is now available to the public in the form of Limited Edition prints, for further information on the painting and the prints visit www.sandsofgallipoli.com.au

Images from the painting have also been beautifully reproduced on the Sands of Gallipoli 2012 collection that consists of a lapel pin, keyring, medallion, pen, figurine and Limited Edition medallion sets. The collection contains authentic sand from ANZAC Cove providing Australians with a tangible reminder of what happened 97 years ago and enabling the qualities of sacrifice and mateship to be passed on so that future generations continue to remember.

Sands of Gallipoli products are available from Australia Post outlets, online at sandsofgallipoli.com.au or by
calling (02) 6123 2920.