This artwork was inspired by a story that has lived quietly in my family for generations — the story of my grandmother’s brother, who served in the UK Army during WWI. I grew up not knowing about him until I discovered his photo amongst my aunts box of memories. Yet now here before me was the photo of a young man far from home, carrying courage he never asked for, doing his part in a world that had been shaken to its core.
As I painted these poppies, I found myself thinking about him, not just as a soldier, but as someone’s son, someone’s brother, someone whose life was stitched into the fabric of our family long before I was born. The soft grey background became the misty fields of memory; the gentle drape of cloth, a nod to the tenderness that remains even in stories of hardship; the cup and suitcase, small symbols of the everyday life he left behind.
The poppies stand bright and unwavering, just as remembrance does. This piece is my way of honouring him and all who served with quiet gratitude. A visual whisper of "Lest We Forget."
Medium and Dimensions
Lest We Forget
Acrylic
W17.5cm x H22.5cm x D1.5cm Canvas
Ready to Hang
Stand not included
Signed on front
