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Milford Zornes' WWII Exhibit offers a compelling glimpse into the artist's wartime experiences as an official military artist, revealing the profound intersection of artistic expression and military service during one of the most tumultuous periods in modern history. Drafted into the Army/Air Corps in late 1942, Zornes completed basic training at March Field in Riverside, California, a pivotal moment that transformed him from a civilian artist to a soldier-chronicler of World War II's complex narrative. His subsequent deployment to the challenging China-Burma-India (CBI) theater marked the beginning of an extraordinary artistic journey. The exhibit meticulously documents Zornes' diverse artistic output during his two-year military assignment, showcasing a remarkable range of visual storytelling. His work encompasses intimate portraits of fellow soldiers, capturing their resilience and humanity, alongside evocative landscapes that reveal the dramatic terrains of the CBI region. Beyond military subjects, Zornes demonstrated a keen eye for cultural nuance, creating compelling scenes depicting local populations and their daily lives. His portfolio includes poignant drawings of support troops, with several sensitive portraits of nurses who played critical roles in maintaining military morale and medical operations. Of particular historical significance are his drawings of Japanese POWs, created during his time with Merrill's Marauders in Burma—a rare, unfiltered perspective of wartime interactions. Zornes' artistic journey during the war culminated in several meaningful art shows in India, with additional exhibitions held in California after his return. These exhibitions not only celebrated his artistic talents but also provided civilians with a unique, humanizing window into the war's complex realities. The exhibit ultimately celebrates how creativity can flourish even in the most challenging and extreme circumstances, transforming personal experience into enduring historical documentation. |
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| East Gallery | |||||
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| 300 South Thomas Street Pomona, CA 91766 |
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