The new presentations will start this year, and are intended to give people across the UK the chance to experience the impact of the ceramic poppy sculptures in a range of places of particular First World War resonance.

Wave and Weeping Window are from the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red – poppies and original concept created by artist Paul Cummins and installation designed by Tom Piper – by Paul Cummins Ceramics Limited in conjunction with Historic Royal Palaces.  The installation was originally at HM Tower of London in the autumn of 2014 and its The Tower Remembers – A First World War commemoration won the Temporary and Touring Exhibition title at this year’s Museums + Heritage Awards for Excellence.

Weeping Window is the cascade of poppies that was seen pouring out of a high window down to the grass below. Wave is a curling swathe of poppies which rose up to create an arch over the entrance to the Tower. The two sculptures, together totaling 7800 poppies, have been saved for the nation by the Backstage Trust and the Clore Duffield Foundation, and gifted to 14-18 NOW and Imperial War Museums.  Financial support for the presentations has been received from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and fundraising for the presentations is ongoing.

Weeping Window
Wave

A number of criteria will be considered in choosing the locations, including ability to provide free access to view the work, the appropriate space to install the sculptures, and relevant resonance with the heritage of the First World War.

The locations for the presentations across the UK will be chosen by a panel including the artist Paul Cummins, designer Tom Piper, Director of 14-18 NOW Jenny Waldman, Ade Adepitan and Director-General of IWM Diane Lees. The panel will consult with Historic Royal Palaces and other stakeholders in making their decision.

  • If you are interested in presenting one of the sculptures please email: [email protected] for an information pack.
  • For any enquires about the application process please contact 14-18 NOW: [email protected]
  • The deadline for applications to host the poppies in 2015 is 10am on Monday 22 June. The deadline for applications to host the poppies in 2016 is 10am on Monday 3 August.
Back to top