1982 Uncovered: A Falklands War Mapping Project Exhibition

13th December 2022
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In November, we travelled to Oxford for the opening of an exciting art exhibition all about our Falklands War Mapping Project!
Last year, a team of wellbeing specialists and archaeologists accompanied two veterans of the Falklands War back to the Islands to take part in the groundbreaking Falklands War Mapping Project. Find out more about the project here. In November, a two-week exhibition held at St Peter's College, University of Oxford, showcased the work of the project's artist, Doug Farthing, who created over 100 artworks during the course of the project. Artworks were inspired by the Falklands landscape, and the experiences of project veterans, John and Jim. The exhibition explores the themes of terrain, conflict and aftermath, and also includes works by a range of artists including David Pope, Katie Russell, Tomás Morrison, Sue Luxton, alongside artwork by Falkland Islands schoolchildren. Find out more about the exhibition in a video summary.
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The Waterloo Uncovered team arrived at the exhibition courtesy of drivers from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans in their iconic black cabs.

To launch the exhibition, a drinks reception was held, before the exhibition was officially opened by Waterloo Uncovered Archaeological Supervisor and star of Time Team Phil Harding, alongside the exhibition's curator Tim Clack and artist Doug Farthing's daughter Adie, who said a few words on her father's behalf. Phil led the attendees in a poignant moment of silence for those who lost their lives in the Falklands War, 40 years on from their sacrifice.

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The following day, St Peter's College hosted a conference entitled 'Veteran Archaeologies: Dispatches from the Field', opened by Dr Tim Clack. Operation Nightingale archaeologist Richard Osgood then chaired a fascinating and emotive panel featuring Waterloo Uncovered co-founder Charlie Foinette, Wellbeing specialist Rod Eldridge, project archaeologists Professor Tony Pollard and Dr Stu Eve, and veterans of the Falklands War Jim and John. The team discussed the struggles and successes of the Falklands War Mapping Project, and John and Jim's difficult but rewarding experience returning to the Islands after 40 years.
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Upon closing the conference, the team returned to the exhibition to take a final look at the artworks and reminisce about the first - but perhaps not the last - Falklands War Mapping Project!
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The Falklands War Mapping Project in front of the art work of Doug Farthing
The official exhibition book, featuring essays and a selection of the exhibition's artworks, is now available to purchase in physical form or read online for free.
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The pilot trip of the Falklands War Mapping Project was a huge success. Much progress was made with the preliminary archaeological work, but even more importantly, the veterans, who for forty years have been struggling with the emotional and psychological traumas of war, were able to take meaningful steps on their journey to recovery.

Waterloo Uncovered have been supporting veterans since 2015, and have provided hundreds of struggling and injured veterans and serving personnel with welfare support, new opportunities, education, comradeship and help recovering from the traumas of war. To keep supporting veterans of all wars, and to return to the Falklands Islands to continue our Mapping Project, we need your help. We are incredibly grateful for any donation you can make.

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The Falklands War Mapping Project was run in collaboration with our partners at the University of Oxford, University of Glasgow and the Falkland Islands Museum & National Trust.
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