Poppies: Wave at Barge Pier, Shoeburyness, Southend-on- Sea. Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images
Today, artist Paul Cummins unveiled the sculpture Poppies: Wave at Barge Pier. Wave is officially open to public view from tomorrow, Wednesday 12 April. Shoeburyness, near Southend-on-Sea, is the first location to host the sculpture in 2017.
Shoeburyness, Southend was chosen to host Poppies: Wave due to its important First World War history. The Shoebury Garrison was a training school for the Royal Garrison Artillery and the Royal Field Artillery, where new weapons were tested. It was also the site of the first British War Dog School, established in 1917, where dogs were trained and sent to France and Belgium, and also used as guards and sentries on the home front.
Wave will be at Barge Pier until 25 June. Poppies: Weeping Window, the other sculptural element of Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, can be seen at Hull Maritime Museum until 14 May.
The #PoppiesTour continues until the end of 2018: check back for details of venues and dates.
