The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire will see 100 ceramic medals at centre of an exhibition reflecting on World War One remembrance.
The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire will see 100 ceramic medals at centre of an exhibition reflecting on World War One remembrance.
The Arboretum will host a new ceramic art installation by Clare Twomey called Medals for the Future.
The exhibition is inspired by events held at the Arboretum to mark the centenary of World War One. It rounds off four years of centenary commemorations that have included landmark events and projects in recognition of the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Passchendaele, Armistice Day and many more.
About Medals for the Future
Clare Twomey is known for her large-scale ceramic installations and has collaborated with the Arboretum to develop Medals for the Future, drawing on the experience of thousands of visitors attending the centenary events at the Arboretum over the last four years.
At the Arboretum’s Armistice Day 2018 commemorations, as thousands gathered to mark 100 years since the guns fell silent at the end of World War One, Twomey held a drop-in session where visitors were asked think about the qualities and achievements that they hope can be commended in the next hundred years.
These reflections have been glazed onto 100 ceramic medals which are displayed on wooden benches, as a fragile memento of the significant moment when people gathered to remember the sacrifices made by those in the conflict.
The shape of each medal was inspired by a Dead Man’s Penny which is also on display at the Arboretum. A Dead Man’s Penny, or Next of Kin Memorial Plaque, was bestowed to the next of kin of all commonwealth service personnel who died as a result of their injuries in World War One.
These contemporary porcelain medals, cast in the same way the bronze counterparts were, encourage visitors to look toward how we will commemorate such sacrifices in the future.
Groups at the National Memorial Arboretum
Groups can enjoy tailor made tours, special talks and events, as well as group packages when they visit. This can include lunches and afternoon teas.
GTOs can find a group bookings pack on the NMA website here.
For more information about the exhibition and group packages, visit www.thenma.org.uk.
