London: Art exhibition raises voices of conscience

Photo: Ruth Davey

The men who refused to fight in World War I because of their faith or political beliefs have inspired an art exhibition in London. Quaker Arts Network are using stirring soundtracks, family photographs and a tent made from bandages to create Echo Chamber.

The sound installation and photography project runs from 18 August to 2 September, at Friends House, the central offices of Quakers in Britain.

Visitors listen to vivid personal memories of those imprisoned for their conscience, for refusing military service. Some find good in unexpected places. Voices from the past and present include Fenner Brockway, who co-founded the No-Conscription Fellowship and was later a Labour MP and a life peer; as well as an Israeli conscientious objector, Taya Segal, who describes herself as an outcast in a society where serving in the military is routine for the young.

The free exhibition marks the centenary of the Military Service Act, which brought in both conscription and the right to refuse to fight, on the grounds of conscience. Quaker MPs worked to get the conscience clause into the Act. Quakers were among 16,000 conscientious objectors in WWI.

Echo Chamber is being created by Fiona Kam Meadley, Dominic Thomas and Ruth Davey. The artists will give talks at 2pm on Saturday 27 August. On Saturday 20 August from 1 till 3pm there is a drop-in workshop for children and young people.

Fiona Meadley said the exhibition is about respecting people who have made difficult decisions. "Echo Chamber is about listening to the missing voices and being open to common humanity even if we do not share their view."

The exhibition is sponsored by Arts Council England, The Sir James Reckitt Charity, Edith M Ellis Charitable Trust and Stroud Valleys Artspace, with special thanks to the Imperial War Museum.