Poppies: Wave – Iconic war memorial sculpture comes to the IWM North

In 2014, the artwork ‘Blood Swept Land and Seas of Red’ by Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper was installed at The Tower of London. The work marked the centenary of the start of World War One, and consisted of two sculptures made up of hundreds of thousands of poppies. Each one represented the life of a British or colonial soldier lost at the front. The work was viewed by over five million people, and instantly became iconic. Later, the works were sent out on tour to different locations throughout the UK, where they were seen by millions more. One of the two sculptures has now come to the Imperial War Museum North. ‘Wave’ is a large, sweeping arch of bright red poppy heads suspended on towering stalks. It will be in place until November, the date marking 100 years since the end of the conflict.

Until Sun 25 Nov, IWM North, Trafford Wharf Road, Stretford, Manchester, M17 1TZ, Tel: 0161 836 4000, 10am – 4.30pm, FREE, www.1418now.org.uk