War museum's paintings anger veterans group
Two paintings depicting atrocities committed by Canadian soldiers should not hang in the Canadian War Museum, says the head of the country's largest veterans association.
In a letter to the editor of an Ottawa newspaper, Cliff Chadderton argues that the paintings are a "trashy, insulting tribute" and should not be part of a museum honouring Canada's military heritage.
Chadderton, who heads an umbrella group called the National Council of Veterans Associations, said he's so outraged that he plans to boycott the museum's opening ceremonies on the weekend.
One of the paintings portrays Master Cpl. Clayton Matchee â of the Canadian Airborne Regiment â torturing a teenager, Shidane Arone, inside a Canadian compound in Somalia in 1993.
The other painting shows Pte. Kyle Brown, who was sentenced to prison for his role in Arone's torture and death.
- CBC Archives: The Somalia Affair
"The commission of these paintings was completely contrarily to the mission of the new war museum," Chadderton, who also heads the War Amps of Canada, wrote in an editorial published in Tuesday's Ottawa Citizen.
"I am proud of my work for veterans and could not stand by and have my name associated with a trashy, insulting tribute to those who gave their lives."
Other veterans said they disagree with Chadderton.
"I think we don't need to gloss over anything," said Bruce Poulin, of the Royal Canadian Legion. "It's important to portray the realities and the history that in fact made Canadians who they are today."
Both paintings have been given prominent placement at the museum, a $120-million multimedia complex slated to open May 7.
Dr. Laura Brandon, the museum's curator of war art, stands by the choice of art. "It's part of Canada's military history. We're a military history museum: our job is to tell ... military history, warts and all."
Museum director Joe Geurts said Chadderton's comments are disappointing, but he believes the museum must take a frank look at Canada's war experience â at horror and human frailty as well as heroics and glory.
The artist, Gertrude Kearns, said these two paintings deal with the theme of how Canadian soldiers deal with the psychological toll of modern warfare.
She said a committee, which included several veterans, approved her concept.
"These particular works, the ones in the museum, are about conscience. They're also about complexity," said Kearns.
The museum said it's been getting a lot of support from veterans, despite Chadderton's criticism and doesn't intend to remove the controversial paintings.
Museum staff said they still expect 2,000 veterans to attend the opening ceremonies.