This painting depicts my father during his time in the Special Air Service (a special forces unit in the Australian Army) in a rare moment of happiness and comradery amid the conflict in East Timor. The desaturated earthy camouflage and helicopter evoke familiar ideas of discipline, toughness, and authority — symbols shaped by media and politics. But this work explores the difference between how we perceive the military and the deep human connections within it. Beneath combat and command lies a powerful sense of comradery — soldiers bound not just by duty, but by shared hardship, fear, and resilience. Through muted tones and the contrast of a playful expression on his face, I’ve aimed to reflect the emotional weight that often remains hidden. Even in times of conflict, there are fragments of joy with moments of laughter, connection, and brotherhood. This painting seeks to reveal the humanity that endures in even the darkest places. My aim in this artwork is to acknowledge a different side of war - away from all the despair and human rights issues that existed in East Timor and in places across the world - I wanted to show the resilience of their joy.