THIS IS AMERICA Harrington’s work reflects the sharp contemplations on the hypocrisy and frequent violence of American Democracy, uncannily and absolutely relevant right now. William Harrington led Vietnam Combat Artists Team VII from 1967 to 1969, documenting the war through painting while accompanying infantry patrols. He and other artists had artistic freedom with the guidance to be expressive and stay busy. Equipped with sketchbooks, paints, watercolors, pencils, and Eastman Kodak 127 Brownie Instamatics, they were free to roam the war zone. They were granted significant artistic freedom with two main instructions: to be expressive and to stay busy. The tradition of combat artists dates back to figures like Winslow Homer in the Civil War and British artists during World War II. Unlike his peers, Harrington’s work focused on emotions—grief, fear, and rage—rather than combat, navigating between dissonance and theatricality, showcasing his deep passion during and after the war.
