Background
Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red was a major art installation at the Tower of London commemorating the centenary of the First World War and marking one hundred years since Britain’s first full day of involvement in the conflict.
Project Overview
Created by artists Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, the installation comprised 888,246 ceramic poppies, each representing a British military fatality during the First World War. Between 17 July and 11 November 2014, the poppies progressively filled the Tower’s historic moat, encircling the landmark and forming a powerful and highly visible act of remembrance.
The scale and visual impact of the installation were deliberately conceived to reflect the magnitude of the centenary, creating both a striking public artwork and a place for quiet reflection. The red poppies flowing around the Tower became a nationally significant symbol of sacrifice and loss.
Hockley and Dawson contributed professional time to the design of the poppy support structures and, as an office, took part in planting poppies at the Tower in late October 2014. Team members also spent time assisting with the painting of poppies within the moat itself.
We were honoured to support Historic Royal Palaces in this important commemoration and to contribute, in a small way, to recognising the sacrifice made by the generation that fought in the First World War.
