Verlore Op 18

This artwork explores the experiences of young soldiers during the South African Border War from 1966 to 1990, focusing on the expectations and dreams they carried with them during the war. The six ‘troepies’ represent young men who entered the war with the expectations of an 18-year-old: a sense of duty, adventure, courage and the belief that they were fighting for their country. The Starry Night sky, inspired by Van Gogh, the five soldiers are looking up to symbolises the dreams and ideals during war and suggests that they have died. It is in contrast with the harsh reality of war that suggests how different war can turn out from what a young ‘troepie’ imagines it to be. The sixth soldier looks down at a poppy and daisy between his fingers. The poppy represents death while the daisy represents life and innocence. His fate is not yet decided between the poppy and the daisy.