Pistol Grip (Ben Roberts-Smith VC)

Pistol Grip (Ben Roberts-Smith VC) is a 2014 oil on canvas painting by Australian artist Michael Zavros. The painting depicts Ben Roberts-Smith, an awardee of the Victoria Cross for Australia, in camouflage uniform demonstrating holding and aiming a pistol. The work is one of two portraits of Roberts-Smith by Zavros commissioned by the Australian War Memorial.

Roberts-Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross in 2010 during the War in Afghanistan and became a national hero. The Australian War Memorial subsequently placed a strong focus on Roberts-Smith and his story, including commissioning Pistol Grip for its collection.

A later defamation trial in the Federal Court of Australia found Roberts-Smith, on the balance of probabilities, committed war crimes during his service. As a result, Pistol Grip, along with other items related to Roberts-Smith became a point of contention regarding the role of museums and the meaning and purpose of war art.