This week sees The Art Fund’s tour of Queen and Country move onto the Barbican where it will coincide with the National Theatre of Scotland’s multi-award-winning production Black Watch.

Queen and Country was created by Steve McQueen, official war artist and winner of Camera d’Or at Cannes Film Festival this year, in collaboration with 137 families whose loved ones have lost their lives in Iraq.

 
The artwork commemorates British servicemen and women who have lost their lives in the conflict, and consists of a cabinet containing a series of facsimile postage sheets each one dedicated to a member of the armed forces killed in Iraq. The artist hopes that an official set of stamps will eventually be issued by Royal Mail. The classic Queen’s head stamp design is an existing Icon of England.

 
The work will be on display at the Barbican until July 27, to coincide with Black Watch between June 20 and July 26. The play is based on interviews with former soldiers who served in Iraq and reveals what it means to be part of the legendary Scottish regiment, what it means to be part of the war on terror, and what it means to make the journey home again.