A Vietnam War veteran sent to the front line by a vindictive sergeant snapped pictures of the beauty amid the destruction, writes Alessia Nava.
Palfi Rinehart, whose conflict pictures are titled: “Clown at War” based on his profession as a ‘laughologist’ served as a medic for the US army between 1968 and 1969.
A self portrait by photographer Palfi Rinehart during his spell in Vietnam
His photos will be displayed at the Cornerhouse Arts Centre in Surbiton next month.
He said: “In order to avoid being sent to the front lines, I signed up for special training as a medic. I was doing surgery during the week, clowning in the weekends and taking pictures here and there all the time.
“My guarantee not to be involved in combat, they didn’t stand by it. A sergeant who didn’t like me because I wouldn’t bet with him sent me into the field just 10 days before I was supposed to return home. I was horrified.”
The 70-year-old, who was conscripted in August 1968, started taking pictures ‘to share beautiful things’ with people.
Laughologist Palfi Rinehart, in character, wearing his jungle boots 44 years after they were issued to him
Photopoems will feature a selection of the best images of the last 46 years, which he stresses are unaltered or photoshopped - from the war in 1967 to the current day.
The exhibition will open on December 1 with a private viewing gala night from 7-9pm and will run from December 2 to January 4.
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