Disasters of War is an exhibition of etchings by artist Alan Birch taken from media images of the period preceding and during the Iraqi conflict. Inspired by the early 19th Century Spanish artist, Francisco de Goya, Birch uses not only the title taken from a series of etchings produced by Goya, but also makes reference to the artist through plate size and techniques used.  With the onset of the new Millennium in the so called civilised world we should be able to solve conflicts without resorting to war, but it would seem that nothing has changed in the last 200 years.  Seen as a series, these prints tell the story of the evolving crisis, culminating in the Iraqi war, a crisis far from over.

Curated by Claire Tymon and Rebecca Keating

Alan Birch was the second invited artist to join Mid Pennine Gallery’s Artist in Residence Programme.  Birch worked in situ in the gallery giving all visitors the opportunity to meet the artist and talk to him about his art practice and current exhibition.  Birch gave talks to students from Burnley College, Todmorden College, Blackburn College and the University of Central Lancashire.