Queens York Rangers Heritage Helmet Art WWII Fundraiser Regimental Original

For direct links to each of the nine art helmets on eBay, information and links about the artists, and information about the Queen's York Rangers, contact the seller.

The helmet is one of the most recognizable parts of a soldier’s uniform. The oldest known use of helmets was by Assyrian soldiers in 900B.C. Helmets can be worn for ceremony or for protection. 

The Queen’s York Rangers 2012 Heritage Helmet Art Auction features nine Ontario artists – seven from York Region, one from Simcoe County and one from Toronto. Each artist was given a Canadian WW II era Heritage Helmet to create a work of art around the theme of honouring Canadian soldiers and, specifically, the Queen’s York Rangers. The Rangers are Canada’s most historic regiment, with ties to the United States and Britain. The helmets are being auctioned until May 26.

Helmet Display - The helmets are on display until May 26th at the Aurora Cultural Centre, Ontario, Canada. On May 27 the helmets will be displayed as a collection one final time and winning bids announced at the public opening of the new Lieutenant-General, the Honorable John Graves Simcoe Armoury in Aurora.

The proceeds from the auction will primarily fund the Queen’s York Rangers’ “Regimental Assistance Plan” which provides special support to its citizen-soldiers. The Queen’s York Rangers are the only Canadian Reserve regiment to have developed its own independent program to provide this support.

Artists Guidelines - The artists must use the helmet as the base of their creation. They can paint, sculpt or use any other creative techniques. The only guideline is that the design should reflect themes and symbols surrounding the Queens York Rangers and its rich history and/or current endeavors. Of special note is the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 in which the Rangers played an active and significant role in the defense of Canada and the repelling of American invaders.

Steve Nash

Materials Used: urethane primer, paints and clear coat

Concept for my Heritage Helmet

I am very honoured to have been given the opportunity to participate in the HHArt project. To me, being able to pay respect to our troops (past and present) on an original WWI helmet was a very fitting invitation to show my gratitude to the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for my freedom.

My father was a WWII veteran (The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada) who passed away in the 80's and I never had the chance to thank him for his service, so this project in part is also my way of paying homage to him.

It was somewhat difficult to decide exactly which elements to paint on the helmet to tribute the Queen's York Rangers with their deep history spanning hundreds of years. As with goalie masks, I felt this helmet should also tell a story, so I choose to paint images that I felt best represented the roots of their Regiment.

-Centered on the top of the helmet big and bold with its striking colours and detail is the Queen's York Rangers Regimental cap badge

-John Graves Simcoe, who became the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, is featured on the front of the helmet wearing the green uniform tunic of the Queens Rangers

-Troops silhouetted in a mystic fog and a portrait of an unknown soldier emerging from the darkness atop a ring of poppies encompass the rim of the helmet

 -Diana - Roman goddess of the hunt who on her headdress, wore the same crescent moon that the Rangers also had emblazoned on the Regimental guidon, is watching over the troops from the back of the helmet.

For a complete BIO and contact info for Steve Nash -contact the seller

 BIO:

Steve Nash is a self taught Canadian visual artist born in Shelburne and currently residing in Vaughan, ON.

He is the owner and operator of EYECANDYAIR since 2000, where he is renowned for specializing in custom airbrush art on goalie masks.

Internally driven and emotionally charged, Steve's combined passion for art and ice hockey has his work being much sought after and can be seen on professional goalies including: Tim Thomas (Boston Bruins), Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles Kings), Martin Biron (New York Rangers), Cam Ward (Carolina Hurricanes) and Chris Mason (Winnipeg Jets).

Phone: (416) 893-2702
Website: eyecandyair [dot] com
Facebook: facebook [dot] com [slash] EYECANDYAIR
Twitter: [at] eyecandyair 

For more info on ALL artists, this fundraising project or about the Queen's York Rangers, go to:  simcoeslevee [dot] ca