SMGWA Unveils Exhibition By Award-winning Military and Aviation Artist Graham Turner

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Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome has opened a new art gallery space and is delighted to present an exhibition of work by leading aviation artist Graham Turner.

The exhibition features both original works and prints by the award-winning artist. Set in one of the Aerodrome's Grade II* listed buildings, constructed in 1916 for the Royal Flying Corps, it is only fitting that the exhibition focuses on scenes from the Great War.

Graham Turner is a Full Member of the Guild of Aviation Artists. He won the Cross and Cockade prize for the Best First World War Aviation Painting for his work Steady Boy, exploring the role of horses in the war. The same work won the Roy Nockolds Trophy (voted for by the public) and was runner up for both the Aviation Painting of the Year and Flypast Fellows Award for Excellence. Turner has also been presented with the Battlefields Trust Award for his work and support of the Trust.

The exhibition includes two original oils on canvas – Replacements and Letter from Home.Replacements shows a newly trained Royal Flying Corps pilot and observer arrive at their first posting, a front line BE2e reconnaissance squadron. Letter from Home is a poignant portrait of a young Royal Flying Corps pilot reflecting on memories of a distant, more peaceful life. Another original artwork, Oops!, is in goache, showing a lucky pilot walking away unscathed from his Sopwith Camel after tipping it on to its nose on landing. In addition to the original works, the exhibition also includes a selection of framed prints of some of Turner's World War One paintings, including Steady Boy. Prints start from £135.

Ian Flint, Chief Executive Officer of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome, comments: "We have long been impressed with Graham Turner's work and are very pleased to have opened a dedicated space in which to show it. It is especially poignant to see paintings of young Royal Flying Corps flight crews displayed in RFC buildings that were the first line of defence against Zeppelins during the Great War -- a fitting tribute to their bravery."

The exhibition is open to visitors to Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome; open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm. Adult admission £12, concessions £9, children 0-10 free. This includes a guided tour of our hangars of historic aircraft and all our exhibition spaces. Admission prices vary during events and the museum is closed on 4 September. Details and tickets for all upcoming events are at www.stowmaries.org.uk/events