Derbyshire artist gives first-hand insight into poppies tribute

This year’s London Embassy coincided with a special poppy installation at the Tower of London to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War – and the artist who helped create it was there to give delegates a first-hand insight into its creation.

Back in 2014, renowned ceramicist Paul Cummins MBE, along with designer Tom Piper, captivated millions with his ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ installation, which commemorated the centenary of the First World War.

And in 2016, a section of the installation was used to create the Weeping Window at Derby Silk Mill (now Derby Museums‘ Museum of Making), which attracted thousands of visitors to the city.

Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red consisted of 888,246 ceramic red poppies, each intended to represent one British or Colonial serviceman killed in the conflict.

Some of the poppies were actually made by Marketing Derby Bondholders at a private event held in Derby in May 2014.

This year, the Tower of London has been hosting a similar tribute, called The Tower Remembers, which features almost 30,000 ceramic poppies, which were originally part of the 2014 display.

They went on display on 6 May (VE Day) and will remain until 11 November (Armistice Day).

It symbolises a wound at the heart of the Tower, reflecting both the physical scars (the Tower itself was bombed during the Blitz) and the emotional toll of war.

With the main display located within the tower’s walls, the poppies cascade across the South Lawn, creating a striking visual effect that honours those who served.

As a guest at this year’s London Embassy, Derbyshire artist Paul was on hand to give attendees his own personal insight into his original 2014 display – and the latest project.

Paul, who in recent years has been commissioned to create large-scale installations for Chatsworth House, part of the Devonshire Group and the Royal Derby Hospital, said: “It was nice to be back again at the Tower of London to witness this latest installation.

“While the poppies used were part of the original in 2014, I didn’t have any involvement this time around, so it was a lot less stressful!”