Paper Poppies Installation - Gillian Taylor

Artist Gillian Taylor's paper poppies installation at the Exeter Northcott Theatre in England is composed of a thousand spiraled paper poppies created from copies of love letters written during World War II.

Some were penned by an aircraft engineer over a period of several years; yes, he and his sweetheart eventually married. Another set was sent by an American GI to a WREN, although their relationship didn't last, and additional letters were loaned to Gillian by folks who responded to her request via local media.

The installation is a fitting tribute as the poppy is considered the remembrance flower inspired by the beloved World War I poem "In Flanders Fields". This past Sunday, November 11th, was Remembrance Sunday in the UK (and Veteran's Day here in the U.S.). No doubt the letter writers would be surprised, and most likely pleased, to know their words from more than half a century ago have been translated into this memorial. 

Gillian mentions on her website that she worked on the project in her head for quite a while before the tricky task of actually hanging it. I'm imagining it to be quite lovely when viewed in person... see it at the Exeter Northcott through November 30th.

Have a great weekend! One to-do on my list is to finish up a marriage certificate for a December wedding. The couple's colors are navy blue and mercury glass silver... beautiful!