About Ypres: The Poppy Cenotaph

The Poppy Cenotaph is the creation of Terrance Clark, who wanted to create a poignant memorial to those lost in the First World War and the history surrounding that time.

Centrepiece by Terrance Clark
(Photo: Sian Riley)

Design Model of Final Piece
(Photo: Sian Riley)

The centre of the memorial is a 7 metre high by 2 metre wide sheet of steel, with an inverse and 'out-verse' symbol of a poppy cut out of the side. At the base of this, 2016 poppies have been hand-made by blacksmiths from all over the world. No two poppies are alike. There is also one single white poppy to remember all those who suffered from shell-shock and were branded 'cowards' at the time.

(Above: Photos: Sian Riley)

Surrounding the base of poppies are 25 individually made panels, designed and made by blacksmiths from around the globe and are their personal responses to the events that occurred during the First World War.

For a complete list of all of the Panel Designers, click on the link: http://www.ypres2016.com/design/masters-panel-designs/

Here are some of my personal favourites:

By Ambrose Burne, UK
(Photo: Sian Riley)

By Sandra Dunn, Canada
(Photo: Sian Riley)

By Steven Laurijs, Netherlands
(Photo: Sian Riley)

In addition to this, a wreath of poppies has been made by the blacksmiths and local school children, and was presented at one of the nightly memorial services at the Menin Gate on the 5th of September 2016.

Poppy Wreath
(Photo: Sian Riley)

The Poppy Cenotaph, poppy base and surrounding panels have now been moved to a permanent memorial site in Langemark-Poelkapelle in Belgium.

To find out more about this amazing project, take a look at their website: http://www.ypres2016.com/