2019

2019

Throughout 2019, we have been working on disseminating the huge and stunning asset we have created for our myriad of installations for the 5000 Poppies Project. Our mats have gone out into the world far and wide to continue their wonderful commemorative work at RSLs, Schools, Hospitals, Churches, Military organisations and many others. Our many thousands of excess poppies have been gifted to others so that they can create their own poppy installations. There are so many that have taken up the mantle … and run with it in their own way, it has been quite heartwarming for Marg and I to see the many thousands of small and large installations all over the world that have the 5000 Poppies Project as the creative spark.

Did I mention that making poppies is addictive?

What an amazing journey for us all!

But, we have not quite finished our work … a final installation of our stringed poppies for Remembrance Day 2019 at Melbourne’s iconic Shrine of Remembrance to commemorate the Centenary of the first Remembrance Day (or Armistice Day as it was referred to in earlier days).

“A Nation Weeps” is a stunning and poignant installation made by many loving hands, which reflects on the grief of a nation deep in mourning for the loss of their fathers, husbands, sons and daughters. A whole generation of potential. Recovery would be long and difficult.

A Nation Weeps will be in situ at the Shrine of Remembrance Melbourne until February 2020.

And … there is a book. A pictorial book which tells the history of the 5000 Poppies Project in wonderful, glorious colour. It’s a Snapfish book which suits my purposes. And it has many, many photographs and very few words which is perfect … after all we have this blog for words. It is so so so close to completion … I am getting excited and nervous at the same time. Copies will be made available at cost soon (which is a whole other thing).