Merv Appleton, the former Bucklands Beach Yacht Club commodore, is thrilled to have been selected to send three of his pieces to Monte Cassino as part of an exhibition called Peace and Remembrance.
The show has been organised by Kiwi artist Kay de Lautour Scott, who lives in Italy, and Aucklander Sophia Elise, manager of the New Zealand Art Guild, to honour those who fought at Monte Cassino.
Mr Appleton, of Eastern Beach, is no stranger to art or exhibitions, but says this latest project has been a challenge because he has never been to the country he was required to paint.
He says: “The subject is dear to us. Many families in New Zealand lost people in the war and it’s quite an honour to have been selected.”
Two paintings depict families and the third is of a lone grave site.
He and his wife Colleen have military heritage, which makes it more poignant.
Merv’s father served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Colleen’s father saw action with the 24th Infantry Battalion in North Africa and Italy.
Mr Appleton is quick to credit his wife’s input into the project.
“It’s been a rush to get the work done,” he says. “While I’ve been busy painting, my wife has been busy researching. It’s been a real team effort.”
Colleen spent hours researching and going over photographs taken of Monte Cassino at the time to help him decide what to paint.
Mr Appleton, who uses acrylics and oils, took “a lot of artistic licence” when it came to his depictions of the battle area.
One of the pieces going to Italy is titled Reflection. It depicts a scene of utter devastation, with the lone figures of a mother and two huddled children observing the grave of a fallen soldier.
Mr Appleton says he has tried to portray the destruction of war and the effect it has on people’s lives.
World War II veteran and Howick resident Watty McEwan served at Monte Cassino, and is pleased a fellow local will be sending works to the commemoration.
Mr McEwan, who went to war at the age of 21, served as a wireless operator for the 2nd NZ Division.
Looking at one of Mr Appleton’s works, Mr McEwan instantly recognises the Monte Cassino monastery, overlooking the town where the battle took place.
He says at the time of the conflict he didn’t have a very good viewpoint.
“I saw everything from inside a tank, so I didn’t see much,” he says. “We sheltered in a house, which was left intact. It was pretty much untouched. We parked our tanks around it and lived in the house.”
