BEVAN HENDERSON
Check Mates
Oil on canvas
55 x 65cm
Check Mates explores the strategic and sacrificial nature of war, drawing parallels between the battlefield and the chessboard. In this work, soldiers take the place of chess pieces, emphasizing how individuals (often young and full of potential) are positioned, moved, and sometimes sacrificed in the greater game of war. The title itself plays on the dual meaning of chess strategy and the camaraderie of soldiers, highlighting both the calculated nature of warfare and the deep bonds formed in conflict.
The chessboard, a symbol of control and tactics, contrasts with the human reality of those who serve. Every piece holds a role, yet in war, even the most strategic moves come with a cost. The use of strong contrasts in colour and light further reflects the tension between power and vulnerability, duty and fate.
Check Mates speaks to the endurance, sacrifice, and camaraderie of soldiers throughout history. It is a reminder that while war is often fought through strategy, the human element (those who serve, suffer, and support one another) should never be reduced to mere pieces on a board.
