Voices of Veterans

Voices of Veterans is a veteran-led art project that humanises mental health and shares personal stories of strength, bravery and hope to help others.

As a series of photographic artworks, Voices of Veterans features Australian veterans living with PTSD, immersed in molasses. It was created by artist, veteran, UniSQ Alumni Award recipient and PTSD survivor, Mike Armstrong. The series was created in 2021 and since then, has been witnessed by thousands of people across Australia in events and at exhibitions.

The powerful artworks are personal expressions of each veteran's experience living with the disorder. Mike Armstrong guided and photographed each veteran during a private creative process using molasses as a PTSD metaphor. Veterans used the molasses and were present as they covered themselves with the heavy, dark, sticky molasses substance. As they embodied the moment, their personal experience, expression, reactions and feelings were photographed. This showed both sides of their lived experience including dark challenging moments under the cover of the substance and light buoyant expressions of hope as the molasses was washed away. The expressive photographs are a powerful art exhibition that aims to generate meaningful, ongoing positive change in the lives of Australian veterans.

Michael Armstrong, Voices of Veterans – Mick Cook 2022 (photography)

Voices of Veterans intends to raise awareness around the mental health crisis and create action to support veteran health. Voices of Veterans artworks purchased and displayed as curated collections in places where real conversations are invited in a safe way will support this goal.

Voices of Veterans is also a charitable project and has established The Voices of Veterans Fund. The fund is philanthropic and managed by the artist in partnership with ANVAM (Australian National Veterans Art Museum). The fund aims to create opportunities to support sustainable art programs led by Australian veteran artists. Donate now at voicesofveterans.com.au.

Mike Armstrong is an award-winning contemporary artist, author and veteran of the Australian Army for 23 years. He did his Masters of Arts while deployed in Iraq and now works with a variety of mediums from his studio in Canberra. He served in East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq and also as part of the Tactical Assault Group East. Mike has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Ballarat, Masters of Arts in Creative Arts from UniSQ, and Masters in Cyber Security from UNSW. Mike supports veteran health through art, movement and connection. He uses his art to explore his and other veteran experiences after service as they live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He offers regular opportunities for people through his art projects, Voices of Veterans and Rogue BJJ.

Voices of Veterans is proudly supported by patrons His Excellency, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley. It was initially enabled by corporate sponsors and philanthropic donors.