THE centenary of the Great War will be marked by UNSW Canberra (ADFA) with an unusual portrait exhibition by Archibald Prize finalist Mertim Gokalp.

“The Descendants Project” is described as a personal identity journey by Gokalp, who is of Turkish origin, honouring the past and celebrating our future by exploring reflections of a 100-year-old war in the generations of the present.

Each of the 20 portrait subjects is a child or grandchild of veterans who served on both sides of the hill in Gallipoli— the descendants of Anzac and Turkish servicemen and women and each is depicted holding/wearing an object which once belonged to his/her ancestor.

“The project emphasises our own limitations as human beings, references to lack of empathy during war time, not having a clear view of the so-called ‘enemy’, having to pick a side and having a view of the one side only,” Gokalp observes.

“The Descendants Project”, at UNSW Canberra Academy Library, Bld 13, ADFA, Northcott Drive, Campbell until August 30. Opens this evening, Wednesday June 17 at 5.30pm. All welcome but registration is essential to eventbrite.com.auevents@adfa.edu.au