Launch Of Book Completes Overdue Recognition Of Anzac Artist

3 June 2016

Launch Of Book Completes Overdue Recognition Of Anzac Artist Sapper Moore Jones

The launch of the book Sapper Moore-Jones ‘The Line of Fire’ on 13 June will complete a three-stage heritage project pursued by Hamilton’s TOTI Trust to have ANZAC soldier and artist Horace Moore-Jones publicly recognised and honoured in New Zealand.

First came the CBD street renaming in 2012, then last year the landmark bronze statue atop a chunk of Gallipoli stone was installed, and now finally the book.

TOTI chair Bill McArthur says “It has taken nearly a century for Moore-Jones to be recognised as someone of national historical importance. This book completes the tribute to the artist, known for his iconic Gallipoli painting ‘The Man and the Donkey’, considered among the most important pieces of Australasian war art.”

The book launch will be held at Hamilton’s Madam Woo restaurant in Sapper Moore-Jones Place – previously called Marlborough Place. TOTI sought the renaming of the tiny cul-de-sac and the nearby statue site as a reminder of Moore-Jones’ heroic death here, saving others from the disastrous Hamilton Hotel fire of 1922.

An historic date has been chose for the book launch. Monday, 13 June, is exactly 99 years after Moore-Jones gave his illustrated lecture on the disastrous Gallipoli campaign to a capacity Hamilton audience. He brought first-hand details of the war to audiences hungry for information and the public were enthralled by his stories and paintings. “His lecture tours around the country made him a national celebrity. He brought the truth to the public, and used his Gallipoli paintings to illustrate the formidable Turkish countryside and conditions.” says McArthur.

A year after his successful lecture in Hamilton Moore-Jones accepted a position as Hamilton High School’s first art master.

In his foreword, Hamish Keith says “There is a curious and inexplicable alchemy in history. A century after the great events, out of the fog of mourning, remembrance and commemoration real faces and real people emerge with an engaging clarity. Sapper Horace Moore-Jones is one of the most remarkable of these.”

‘The Line of Fire’ is strongly photographic and archival, covering the remarkable life of the soldier-artist as well as TOTI’s extraordinary efforts to have him receive due recognition.

ENDS

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