LONDON.- This exhibition, drawn exclusively from the Imperial War Museum’s Art collection, brings together the work of British artists who have documented conflict in the Middle East from the First World War to more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Containing a number of works that have not been on public display before, this exhibition also incorporates travel journals, interviews, film and photography that document the experiences of artists working in a complex landscape and throughout the social and political changes that have shaped the Middle East we know today.

Works by three independent British artists who have travelled with British forces in Iraq and Afghanistan were added to this exhibition on 24 May 2008. Working direct with the military, Matthew Cook, Arabella Dorman and Gordon Rushmer have had close acquaintance with frontline operations and the daily life of troops in the field.

Matthew Cook has a unique perspective, combining experience as a deployed member of the Territorial Army (London Regiment) in Iraq with commissioned work as a war artist for the Times in Iraq and for the British Army in Afghanistan.

Arabella Dorman recently visited 3 Division in southern Iraq and illustrates the psychological tension of deployed troops and aspects of military planning and logistics.

Gordon Rushmer has a long association with the Royal Marines and the Dutch Royal Marines, travelling with them in the Balkans and in Eritrea and latterly in Iraq and Afghanistan. His watercolours include commissioned work lent by the Royal Marines Museum, Southsea.