Modern combat takes centre stage at Imperial War Museum

(PA)

The mangled wreckage of a bombed car salvaged from the streets of Iraq by the Turner Prize-winning artist, Jeremy Deller, was unveiled at the Imperial War Museum in London yesterday.

The dramatic work – called Baghdad, 5 March 2007 – was destroyed in an attack in the historic Al-Mutanabbi street book market in the Iraqi capital. The bombing resulted in 38 deaths and many more injuries. No one has ever claimed responsibility. It is now on display in the museum's entrance atrium surrounded by military hardware.

The installation is designed to draw attention to the huge rise in civilian casualties in warfare, says Mr Deller.

"It's unusual to see anything from the conflict in Iraq 'in life' so I was interested in being able to show this car to the public, initially in the United States and now Britain.

"I'm very happy that the Imperial War Museum has taken this object into its collections and is putting it on such prominent display – I couldn't think of a better home for it in this country," he added.

The car will move to the Imperial War Museum North in Manchester from April 2011.