Shrouds of the Somme is in place out at Stratford.
Remembrance Day is a mere two days away, and London has already found some stunning ways to pay tribute. Poppies tumbled out of the Imperial War Museum, and blanketed the Tube. Meanwhile, the Tower of London has been beautifully illuminated by a sea of torches, with crowds flocking for a glimpse. A little further east, the last of London’s major Remembrance Day art installations is set up in Olympic Park, and it looks suitably moving.
Shrouds of the Somme arrived in Stratford yesterday, and has already been wowing punters. It’s a striking sight amongst the sculptures and stadiums of Olympic Park.
After a tour of the UK and Europe, including a spell at the Thiepval Memorial in France, the installation is making its final stop here in London.
72,396 shrouds are lined up in the park, each one representing a British or Commonwealth soldier who lost their life at the Somme.
The 12-inch figurines are all unique, each one twisted into shape by a hand-stitched shroud.
Many of the shrouds are accompanied by dates, marking the number of soldiers killed on each day of the battle.
Shrouds of the Somme is the painstaking work of artist Rob Heard, who aimed to visualise the losses of the Somme. His labour has resulted in this moving tribute, and we think it was well worth the work.
You’ve got a little bit of time to see the installation before it ends – it runs until November 18th, and is open from 10am-7pm everyday (except for the 15th, when it opens at 10:30am).
Find it near to the ArcelorMittal Orbit, E20 2AD. Nearest stations are Stratford and Stratford International.
Featured image: @frankdasilva