Why did A. Y. Jackson become a war artist?

A. Y. Jackson became a war artist during World War I to document the experiences of Canadian soldiers and the realities of war through his artistic lens. His involvement was part of a broader initiative by the Canadian government to use art to capture and convey the emotional and physical landscapes of the battlefield. Additionally, Jackson's background as a prominent painter and member of the Group of Seven made him a strong candidate to represent Canada’s artistic response to the war. His work aimed to provide a visual narrative that would resonate with the public and preserve the memory of the conflict.