Finding peace with painting; a model example of improving veteran mental health
Waterloo Uncovered, the groundbreaking charity that combines world class archaeology with veteran care and recovery, is delighted to invite you to an exclusive exhibition of its previously unseen diorama of the Waterloo Battlefield; Waterloo Remodelled. Created by veterans whose wellbeing has been improved by the therapeutic aspects of painting, this expansive new model brings to life the most famous land battle in history.
Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 October 2021
7pm – 9pm
National Army Museum, Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 4HT
Hosted by Major General James Cowan, you’ll enjoy an exclusive preview of the model before it goes on public display, an exclusive talk about the history and creation of this incredible diorama, and a drinks reception at the National Army Museum.
As a Trustee of Waterloo Uncovered, James Cowan has led this important initiative which not only incorporates modern research into the battle, but has also been a calming and therapeutic outlet for a number of veterans and serving military personnel whose mental and physical health has been impacted by their military service.
Waterloo Remodelled is the product of years of dedicated work, technical skill and international collaboration between veterans utilising the cutting edge archaeological research of Waterloo Uncovered. The model captures a snapshot of the battlefield at its dramatic climax, around 6:00pm on the 18 June, 1815. As the model is too large to exhibit in its entirety at this time, this exhibition focusses on Hougoumont, Mont-Saint-Jean, La Haye Sainte, Papelotte, Plancenoit and La Belle Alliance.
It features 30,000 figures hand-painted by an international team of veterans and volunteers, which capture the sheer scale of the battle while highlighting small vignettes of individual soldiers locked in a bloody fight for survival. The model is growing rapidly and when it is complete, it will contain over 120,000 figures and will cover an area the size of a tennis court.
We very much hope that you will be able to join us at our preview event. For more information and to reserve your place, please visit www.waterloouncovered.com/model and enter the code PRESS100 at checkout in order to claim your ticket without charge.
As the instigator of this project, James Cowan has asked for the following guidelines to be respected when reporting the project. Cowan is the CEO of The HALO Trust. He is also a retired major general who commanded Task Force Helmand and his battalion in Iraq. In June of this year, HALO was attacked in Afghanistan and 12 of its staff were murdered. IS-K claimed responsibility and declared that HALO was a crusader organisation and would be a target for future attacks on a worldwide basis. The Board of The HALO Trust has therefore taken the decision to de-emphasise its connections to the military. This is one of a number of measures designed to protect its 2,500 staff in Afghanistan and further 7,500 worldwide. These measures will last during this sensitive period following the change of regime in Kabul and while HALO goes back to work in various Afghan provinces. For obvious reasons therefore, James Cowan does not wish to be the focus of media coverage, particularly given the military nature of this project.
For more information please contact v.askew@waterloouncovered.com
