LEAMINGTON’S ‘hidden’ history has been revealed.
The exhibition The Art of The Camoufleurs of Leamington Spa 1939 – 1945 focuses on Leamington’s important role in the development of camouflage during the Second World War.
Staff working to develop camouflage were known as ‘camoufleurs’ and many joined the local branch of the Artists International Association – an organisation of artists opposed to fascism – which briefly flourished in Leamington as a result of the concentration of artists and designers.
Wartime posters, uniforms, paintings and more created by the camoufleurs are on display at the Leamington Art Gallery & Museum until October 16.
And pillars of the Pump Rooms have also been ‘yarn bombed’ as a nod to some of the camouflage styles created in the town.
Entry to the exhibition is free.
* A CREATIVE Camouflage day takes place at Leamington’s Pump Rooms on Saturday August 27 from 11am to 4pm.
Throughout the day there will be free fun family activities taking place at the Art Gallery & Museum, including Camouflage Trail, face-painting station, and creating camouflage patterns.
There will be an animal mask-making activity for under 5s as well as camouflage mask-making for ages 5 and over.
Visitors can also join Leamington Looks Back and help create a community art installation by camouflaging a model town. Participants will also have the opportunity to create a pop-up bird hide
Judging will take place for the Camouflage Photography Competition.
Other events to tie in with the exhibition include a poetry workshop, Fifteen Ways to Hide, on Saturday October 15, and an experimental and digital audio-visual approaches to camouflage on Friday September 23.
Visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms for further details.
