On Board a Hospital Transport c. 1917

Editor: This is Claude Shepperson's "On Board a Hospital Transport," a print held at the Tate. It feels claustrophobic, the wounded figures almost swallowed by the ship’s infrastructure. What strikes you about this work? Curator: The scene reveals the human cost of conflict, yes, but consider the political statement it makes. Shepperson doesn't glorify war; instead, he lays bare its devastating impact on the body and psyche. What does the setting itself evoke for you in terms of power dynamics? Editor: It feels like the injured are being processed, almost dehumanized, by this cold, functional space. Curator: Exactly! This depiction challenges traditional war art. It compels us to confront the institutional violence inherent in war and the societal structures that perpetuate it. A critique of power. What did you get from this work? Editor: It shows how art can reveal the lived experiences of the marginalized, and expose uncomfortable truths about society. Curator: Precisely. It’s a powerful reminder of art’s potential for social commentary and change.