[An afternoon under Labuan palms]

Place Asia: Borneo
Accession Number ART96703
Collection type Art
Measurement Overall: 14.6 x 20 cm
Object type Work on paper
Physical description pen and ink and wash on lined paper
Maker Pidgeon, William Edwin (WEP)
Place made Borneo
Date made 1945
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copyright

Item copyright: AWM Licensed copyright

Description

Depicts two war correspondents, Jimmy Smythe and Alan Dawes, reclining under palm trees in Labuan, Borneo, with William Pidgeon in the background. William Edwin Pidgeon (1909-1981), known as 'WEP' was a war correspondent, painter, cartoonist and illustrator. During the Second World War many of his illustrations were published in the 'Australian Women's Weekly', which made him famous nationally. His works richly convey the lives and personalities of Australian troops and their experiences in Darwin (1943-44), New Guinea (Jan-Feb 1944) and Borneo and Morotai (Jan-Aug 1945). This work is one of over 400 items by WEP donated to the Memorial consisting of illustrated letters, paintings, sketches, drawings, photographs and ephemeral material related to his time as a war correspondent.

Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program by Peter and Elizabeth Pidgeon in memory of William Edwin Pidgeon 2014