Breaking Cover is an exhibition of artworks by artists who served with the military in times of war. Rather than a pictorial record of wartime subjects, this exhibition draws together artworks from across the City of Fremantle Art Collection created in peacetime, uncovering the intrinsic role that art making played in restoration of the artists’ well being in their post-war lives.

The exhibition presents an eclectic selection of artworks by significant WA and national artists, some of whom continue to deal with the trauma of war.

Breaking Cover includes works by seventeen artists who turned to art making after military service, or were commissioned Official Australian War Artists, covering both World Wars, the Korean War and a peace keeping mission to the Solomon Islands in 2009. Artists include George Benson, RJ Dorizzi, Brian McKay, ex de Medici, Frank Norton, Guy Grey-Smith, Arthur Streeton and Trevor Woodward.