Routes of Remembrance on Display
Every year sees East Midlands Railway mark Armistice Day with services of Remembrance at Nottingham and Derby railway stations.
Today’s service also saw the display of brand new artwork at these stations, as part of the Routes of Remembrance project.
Set up by The Veterans Charity, Routes of Remembrance is a project connects communities across the UK, and further afield.
Every year it honours the fallen of all conflicts, and those who have fallen as a result of injuries both physical and mental, long after the guns have stopped.
All over the world the project sees wreaths and tributes take journeys by rail, road, sea and air. A poignant way to honour and remember those who have given their lives in service.
Routes of The East Midlands
This year East Midlands Railways asked me to collaborate with them, and eight community groups across the East Midlands, to create unique artwork installations for the Routes of Remembrance project.
I ran a series of interactive workshops with each group. In each we spoke about the importance of Remembrance within their locality.
We looked at how this could be translated into art, by using a range of different mediums. Some used paint, others pencils, 3D collage and found objects.
I used the images that each group produced to create their own unique piece of artwork. Each piece representing Remembrance in their community that’s now on display at their local station.
The eight individual pieces come together to create one large piece of artwork, forming a poppy. The final artwork is on display at Nottingham and Derby railway stations.
Where to Find the Artwork
Below are the eight community groups who took part in the project. See also their local railway stations where you can find their artwork.
Rhubarb Farm – Langwith-Whaley Thorns Railway station
9th Lincoln Rangers – Lincoln Railway station
St Martins School Horizon Group – Peartree Railway station
Ambergate Primary School – Ambergate Railway station
Allison Scout Troup and Wilford Scout Troop – Barrow-Upon-Soar Railway station
Great Coates Primary School – Great Coates Railway station
Sleaford Cadets – Sleaford Railway station
Arts & Minds at Middleport Pottery – Longport Railway station
Any customers travelling through these stations can scan the QR code by the artwork. This will also allow them to view the final artwork installation.
It was an honour to be commissioned to work on the Routes of Remembrance project. Also, working with these wonderful groups to create their artwork has been a real joy.
Thank you to EMR for the opportunity to make this happen!
Thanks also to Community Rail Network and the six Community Rail Partnerships across the East Midlands who helped to fund the project.
To hear more about the art projects I’ve been involved with, please check out my portfolio here.
Looking to create an exciting art project? I’d love to hear about it and see how I can help!