Nick wears a soldier’s uniform, but wields only a paintbrush. As a Canadian embedded artist during the second world war, he is tasked with an impossible mission: to capture the chaos and carnage of battle on canvas. With soldiers, beggars, and showgirls as muses, Nick embarks on a surreal odyssey of self-discovery to understand the purpose and power of his art. What he witnesses—and what he paints—will change him forever and help shape the vision of a young nation.

In The Art of War, Yvette Nolan offers a poignant meditation on the role of artists in times of war and peace. Finding humour and insight in the challenges of expressing the inexpressible, it is an exaltation of those who steadfastly seek truth amidst great turmoil.