My piece, "A Minute Silence" was one of the finalists in the 2013 Gallipoli Art Prize in Sydney, Australia.
It pays tribute to the narratives within the cold cement of a headstone. The panels represent the unification of Australia, New Zealand and Turkey through the following stories – the fallen, the naïve young man keen to do his bit, many years later the same elderly survivor and a leader’s healing words about a campaign that bonded these three nations forever. These nations exceptional and profound relationship is portrayed by the connection between each section of the painting.
The headstone panel represents the inaccessible stories. However, this headstone’s mysteries are released by allowing the viewer to be interactive. Trooper James Sinton and the late James Sinton are flanked by two panels. The first open panel symbolizes those who never returned. The last panel depicts Ataturk and his famous soothing words that wash away the red of the blood spilt, leaving in its place the colour of the honourable Turkish flag.
Trooper James Sinton of the Otago Mounted Rifles (9/966 NZEF) was my husband’s grandfather and my children’s great-grandfather. At 101 years old, James was one of the last surviving Gallipoli vets when he was laid to rest in 1995. My gratitude for his legacy is valued deeply within my soul.

Deanna Lavoie

"A Minute Silence" remains in a private collection in Australia.