Tweets from the Trenches – France WW1
My grandfather, Captain Melvill Walter Thornton Wyon of the 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment was wounded on 24th March 1918. His blood-spattered British Army message book turned up in my mother’s personal effects after she died and letters to his wife from the French battlefield were there too.
A century later, I surrendered to the urge to make art from these artefacts—22 messages and nine letters in his handwriting.
(click to enlarge image)
The exhibition:
A wall-hung quilt, twenty-two messages and nine letters with transcriptions and supporting images describing the reality of war for men and women.
Dimensions:
Quilt – 118cm x 112cm (46” x44”)
Artworks – mostly 42cm x 30cm (16.5” x 12”)
Materials:
Quilt – up-cycled army trousers hand and machine stitched
Size: 22 running metres
Crated weight: 40 kilograms
(click to enlarge image)
Comes with:
DVD – a creative explorations of the artist’s environment providing insights into the making of this and previous touring exhibitions. 22 minutes duration
Banner (x2) – measuring 235cm x 90cm
Education Pack for Primary & Secondary Students
Explanatory notes and labels
Condition report Manual
Media Release and photo
Detailed hanging instructions
2-day Workshop for artists and fabric enthusiasts (extra)