This exhibition features responses from six schools in south Wales to the tricky question of how to commemorate war and conflict.
Working with historian Dr Gethin Matthews from Swansea University and artist Siôn Tomos Owen, the schoolchildren have created six new memorials in response to local war memorials in their area. Their colourful and striking creations convey their feelings about historical loss and avoiding future conflicts.
The exhibition invites reflection on the complex role of a memorial as both a commemorative tribute and cautionary tale. As they discovered the long-term impact of conflict on their communities, the pupils at all six schools, without conferring, chose to create ‘peace memorials’, instead of art which glorified war.
This project was funded by the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund, a UK-wide partnership programme of over 20 artist commissions inspired by the heritage of conflict. Led by Imperial War Museums, the IWM 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund was created following the success of 14-18 NOW, the official UK arts programme for the First World War centenary.