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Jenani Therone
Meaning in Stillness
The Artist, The Witness
Living Essays
Where Art Meets You
Meeting of Minds
A Conversation Awaits
© 2025 Jenani Therone. All rights reserved.
Of Service is a deeply personal exploration of resilience, sacrifice, and the unseen battles carried beyond military service. Over 42 months, I travelled across Australia, meeting 100 veterans, listening to their stories, and capturing their presence in fine art portraiture and personal narrative. This work exists as both an artistic and humanitarian statement—an effort to hold space, to honour, and to bring visibility to the complexities of life after service. In confronting themes of mental health, identity, and survival, Of Service is a call to see beyond the uniform and into the human experience.
How does one honour a story that is often left untold?
Of Service was born from a question—a quiet, persistent thought that grew into a journey of connection and responsibility. What does it mean to serve, and what does it mean to be seen? These questions led me across Australia, into conversations with those who had dedicated their lives to something greater than themselves—only to return to a world that often failed to understand them.
Of Service was born from a question—a quiet, persistent thought that grew into a journey of connection...
For 42 months, I travelled across vast landscapes, through military histories and personal traumas, into homes and memories, seeking to capture more than an image. I sought to reveal the unspoken—the weight of service, the cost of duty, and the resilience that exists in its aftermath.
Every portrait in Of Service is more than a photograph—it is a conversation suspended in time, a shared moment of truth between myself and the veteran. Stripping away uniformed identity, these images return to something deeply human—fragile yet unbreakable. Each piece is layered with personal narratives, words that carry the rawness of experience, the reality of PTSD, depression, and, for some, the contemplation of suicide.
Art, in its highest form, is an act of witnessing. In these works, I do not simply depict; I hold space. I listen. I allow the weight of their stories to shape the work, trusting that in doing so, it may help others see, feel, and understand.
The fine art publication of Of Service is not just a collection of portraits—it is a body of work that carries voices, remembrance, and the quiet urgency of awareness. Each image and testimony offers a window into the complexities of life after service, giving form to struggles often hidden from public view.
Art, when it serves... continues long after the images are printed...
Launched at the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne, in the presence of veterans, their families, and dignitaries, this book now exists as a testament, a dialogue, and an ongoing effort to shed light on veteran mental health and suicide prevention. As it reaches hands, homes, and conversations, its impact continues to unfold.
Art, when it serves, does not end. The conversation it sparks continues long after the images are printed, long after the stories are read. Of Service is not just my work—it belongs to those who shared their truth, and to those who now carry it forward.
This essay is not just a reflection of what was created; it is an invitation—to see, to listen, and, perhaps, to change the way we honour those who have served.
Of Service is a profound tribute to resilience, remembrance, and hope. Through intimate portraits and deeply personal narratives, this fine art publication honours Australian veterans, revealing their unseen battles and unwavering strength. Both a visual and literary journey, it stands as an artistic achievement and a call for greater awareness of mental health and suicide prevention. Take this journey, share these stories, and be part of a lasting tribute—one that honours service and ignites hope in those who need it most.
Art, to me, is both a quiet rebellion and an act of connection. It is the courage to reveal vulnerability and the hope to foster healing—not just for myself, but for others. My work explores resilience, identity, and the beauty in imperfection, amplifying voices often left unheard. Through storytelling and imagery, I aim to create empathy, bridge worlds, and inspire reflection, inviting you to find your own meaning within these shared journeys.
MoreCollaboration is where art becomes transformative—where stories merge, ideas spark, and together, we create something extraordinary. My work blends storytelling and imagery to amplify voices, foster empathy, and inspire community. From conceptual creations and community campaigns to exhibitions and workshops, I welcome partnerships that share a vision for connection, resilience, and hope. Let’s create meaningful impact together.
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