A new portrait of the late Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird VC MG by Archibald-winning artist, Marcus Wills, was unveiled at the Australian War Memorial today.
Corporal Baird was killed in action on 22 June 2013 in Afghanistan. In 2014, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, the nation’s highest honour.
Archibald Prize winner Marcus Wills said he painted the work after conducting extensive research and speaking with Baird’s family and friends.“I wanted to paint Cameron as a soldier,” Wills said. “I thought about how he might like to be portrayed and how his family and the men who served with Cameron might wish to see him. ”Baird’s family and friends described him as a compassionate, courageous and gentle man..
Baird’s father, Doug Baird OAM, said the painting was at home in the Australian War Memorial along with his Victoria Cross: “It is something we are extremely proud of…it means the world to us.”
The portrait of Corporal Cameron Steward Baird VC MG is located at the entrance to the First World War Gallery on the ground level. It will be on display into 2023. Read more: http://ow.ly/V0L850LOt9BArtwork: Marcus Wills (b. 1972), Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird VC MG, 2021–22, egg tempera and oil on linen190 x 118 cm, acquired under commission, 2022, AWM2019.1225.1. © the artist
Images: Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird VC MG’s parents, Mr Doug Baird and Mrs Kaye Baird, with His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley; His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia; Corporal Cameron Stewart Baird VC MG’s parents, Mr Doug Baird and Mrs Kaye Baird view the artwork
