The function of artists at the front goes beyond accurately recording facts and events, which today is more often handled by photography and film. An artist must convey the emotion of what it was like to be there.

Wendy Sharpe's work, like fellow artist George Gittoes', is not about accuracy, it's about personal interpretation, how they feel and how they communicate that feeling.

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Ian Hansen travelled to East Timor in February 2000 at the invitation of the RAN to record naval activities as the INTERFET troops handed over to the UN contingent.

EXTRACT OF DIARY

17 February 2000

"Early morning start. Went ashore with armed sentry. Recorded some ideal reference.

"Steamed east to Betano where bits of HMAS Voyager are still visible. Offloaded displaced Timorese at 1400. The joy of watching these East Timorese being reunited with their families was really heart warming. Cheering and tears, the Aussies being thanked over and over. We are winched up to HMAS Melbourne's helo (helicopter) whilst under way. Heavy rain started as we are winched up. Arrived back on board Melbourne at 1530. Watched 50 Cal firing at night target flares. Tracers bright orange/red."

EXTRACT OF DIARY

23 February 2000

"The difference between the INTERFET forces and the UN was eye opening. The Aussie top brass were living in partially destroyed buildings, sleeping on stretchers on concrete floors with a small fan and mossie nets. Personal items stacked on the floor. Eating outside on duckboards with an Army tarpaulin for roof, wood benches and tables. The UN had a luxury floating hotel brought by heavy lift ship from Germany, air conditioned en suite bathrooms, all driving around in sparkling new 4WD air conditioned vehicles. The East Timorese seem to be on the end of a very long chain of events."

George Gittoes has spent time in Somalia and Rwanda, and witnessed the Kibeho massacre. The power of his paintings hit a nerve with the people who served there.

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