Title:
A Soldier's Christmas
Episode:82Te Papa Collection:History
Suggested curriculum levels:4 – 7
Curriculum connections:English: Listening, Reading, and Viewing, The Arts: Understanding the Arts in Context, Social Sciences: Continuity and Change
Description:Peter McIntyre's painting of his batman, Cyril Hurne-Miller, is one of the most recognisable images of a Kiwi soldier during World War II. Find out how this image was shared with those back home.
Questions for students
- Explain the story of the soldier Christmas cards in your own words. Why are they considered 'iconic'?
- What was the role of a war artist? Does New Zealand still have an official war artist? How do we receive most images of war now?
- Watch Episode 50: Von Tempsky. Compare von Tempsky's role as an active soldier/artist with that of Peter McIntyre. What aspects of their work were the same? What aspects were different?
- The presenter comments on the amount of gear a soldier had to carry. Research what a modern-day soldier carries into battle. Does a modern soldier have an easier or harder load to carry than a soldier in World War II? Use the 'Then and now' response template to compare the changes to a soldier's equipment over time.
- Artists can play important roles in world affairs. Think about an artist's perspective on local or world events. How might this differ from the perspective of a politician or news reporter? Do you think artists can influence events by giving a different perspective?
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