In the mid-1960s, Vija Celmins began a significant series of works focused on themes of war and disaster. These pieces were heavily influenced by her childhood experiences during World War II and the contemporary backdrop of the Vietnam War. Celmins collected images from books, magazines, and newspapers, using these sources as the foundation for her paintings and drawings. This period marked a shift from her earlier still lifes to more socially and politically charged subjects (Seminary Co-op) (SFMOMA).

One prominent example from this series is "Explosion at Sea" (1966), which belongs to a group of paintings depicting scenes of devastation and warfare. The works from this period often feature images of war planes, explosions, and smoking guns, rendered with a meticulous attention to detail that underscores the grim reality of their subjects. Celmins' use of monochromatic palettes and precise, almost photographic detail, creates a stark and haunting portrayal of these destructive forces (Seminary Co-op) (4Columns).

Celmins' approach during this time involved a deliberate move away from expressionism. She aimed to present these war images in a neutral, almost detached manner, which heightened their impact. Her compositions typically avoided dramatic angles or overt emotional cues, instead focusing on the raw, factual presence of the subjects. This method allowed her to explore the theme of war's omnipresence and its representation in media, as well as the desensitization that often accompanies repeated exposure to such images (SFMOMA) (4Columns).

The works from this series also reflect Celmins' broader concerns with memory and trauma. For instance, her paintings of World War II bombers and disaster scenes resonate with her personal history as a war refugee. These pieces not only document historical events but also engage with the psychological impact of war, both on individuals and society as a whole (SFMOMA).

Celmins' war imagery from the mid-1960s is a critical part of her oeuvre, demonstrating her ability to blend technical precision with profound thematic depth. These works serve as a poignant reminder of the enduring effects of conflict and the ways in which art can bear witness to historical and contemporary traumas (Seminary Co-op) (4Columns) .