Signalman William Allister created his depictions of life as a prisoner of war in Hong Kong in secret. His paintings were done using improvised art supplies: crankshaft oil and stolen pieces of tent took the place of oil paints and artist’s canvas. He hid them from his captors by sewing them into the pant leg of a fellow prisoner of war.

Untitled
Painted by William Allister in 1942
Oil on canvas
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art
Canadian War Museum 20120037-001

Large Image

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