Once a Warrior

Current and former servicemen and women – some with histories of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – found parallels between their own military experiences and Native American warrior societies. The group responded in words and art to “Warriors of the Plains”, a British Museum exhibition about honour and ritual in 19th-century North America. A digital display reflecting the views of West Country warriors of today was displayed in the exhibition, alongside the art inspired by the project, Once a Warrior. Compiled from individual interviews and the group’s artwork in 2012, the digital film is also online, including responses from the public. Once a Warrior served as a bridge for better understanding of the personal codes that have guided combat across centuries, continents and cultures.