Trench art is a broad term describing the creative works produced by soldiers, prisoners of war, and civilians during the First World War. It encompasses far more than drawings or paintings—although those were common. The art often included functional or decorative items made from the detritus of battlefields: shell casings, bullets, shrapnel, wood from crates, and even bone.
Soldiers in the trenches had long hours of monotony punctuated by terror. Making trench art was one way to pass time, process trauma, and stay occupied. Spent brass shell casings were hammered, engraved, or repoussé-worked into vases, candlesticks, and lighters. Bullet casings were transformed into letter openers, matchbox covers, or miniature sculptures. Some men carved elaborate designs into wood salvaged from ammunition boxes or shaped small personal tools.
Bone and chalk carvings were also popular, particularly among prisoners of war who had few materials at their disposal. They made delicate boxes, pipes, and figurines from animal bones saved from meals or from soft stone. Soldiers carved graffiti and personal inscriptions into tunnel walls or dugouts, leaving a record of their presence that still survives in some underground sites.
Not all trench art was produced by soldiers themselves. Local civilians in war zones—especially in France and Belgium—collected battlefield debris to fashion souvenirs for sale to troops or visiting relatives. This trade persisted long after the Armistice, as returning soldiers and grieving families sought mementoes.
Trench art thus embodies a remarkable blend of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and emotional expression. It serves as a tangible link to the daily experiences of those who fought and endured the war. Each object reflects both the horrors of industrialized conflict and the enduring human impulse to create meaning and beauty, even in the darkest times.
