KORONG Vale’s original memorial soldier is the centrepiece of a new exhibition that opened at the Shrine of Remembrance last week.
Clayton Tremlett has taken his Immortals Exhibition to Melbourne after earlier runs in Bendigo and Maryborough.
The Korong Vale statue, dubbed “Jack” by Clayton, was erected after World War One but later replaced when it snapped near the soldier’s feet and had to be replaced.
Taken from storage at a stonemason’s yard in Harcourt, “Jack” has been at the centre of each exhibition featuring 66 photographs of the faces on war memorials across Victoria.
Clayton said the photographic studies were taken at sunrise to best capture the images.
“Immortals is a comprehensive survey of Victorian digger memorials as they appear today,” he said. 
“We can study the faces of these memorials. While they reflect a broader sense of mourning and symbolism, each figure has individual characteristics. 
“Several depict the Digger as courageous, stoic or determined, others present an image of doubt, regret and despair. Some are boys, some are men and some are women. Viewed together, the portraits evoke an overwhelming sense of empathy.”
Members of Wedderburn-Korong Vale RSL sub-branch attended the Shrine exhibition opening,
The Shrine says Clayton spent more than six years researching the digger memorials to create a unique opportunity to connect with the faces that have stood as silent sentinels for a century.
“His work results in powerful screen prints that mirror the iconic First World War studio portraits, allowing you to see these memorials in a new light—both literally and figuratively,” the shrine said.
The exhibition runs until April.