‘Drawing to a Close’ is the latest exhibition, made, written, and curated by Cumbrian born artist Robin Oliver, which is, presented from the south aisle of Carlisle’s historic Cathedral, in Remembrance.
Robin’s thought-provoking exhibition is presented as; A play on words, in eleven scenes, and highlights the upcoming centenary of the agreement to end fighting during the First World War (1914 – 1918)
There are a variety of types of artwork on show including; drawing, painting, writing, assemblage, and sculpture. In addition, new work titled ‘Roll Call’ is displayed, which highlights The poppy factory in Richmond, said to be ‘England’s leading employment charity for veterans with health conditions or impairments’. Some of who work to produce the poppies, and wreaths, for ‘The Royal British Legion’s, annual Poppy Appeal’ and those required by the royal family.
There is emphasis made by Robin upon some of the appointed Minister of War, Lord Kitchener’s Army, as the artist features, and remembers forty individual service numbers, identifying soldiers, who died with no known; date of birth, or date of death, recorded up to the present day. The dead soldiers service numbers can be observed in the artists work, displayed upon Kitchener’s tunic, viewed through poppy shaped, cut out, windows.
In addition, Robin highlights the fact that 1st Earl; Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener’s image was used in many recruitment posters during World War One. The Artist also seeks to remember that, Kitchener himself, became a fatality of the war, killed on the 5th June 1916, whilst set sail on HMS Hampshire, which collided with a German mine in the North Sea, adjacent to the United Kingdoms, Orkney Islands, on its way to Russia.
A full list of the 40 who are being remembered via the exhibition piece; ‘Roll Call’ is available to view via Robin Oliver’s website.
One of the largest works to go on display at the Cathedral, created by Robin, is concerned with setting the scene for Britain’s entry into War; and is titled; ‘Leading us into the State of War’, shown in forty poppies! Beginning in, 1903, a time of perceived, empire, peace & prosperity as the United Kingdom moved toward 1914, when it enters into a state of War. 1903 was chosen by Robin as a starting point because this was the year that, on, October the 10th the Women’s Social & Political Union (WSPU) was formed by Emmeline Pankhurst to fight for women’s rights in Britain (The Suffrage Movement).
2018 Robin says; is as we all know, 100 years on, since, some women were allowed to vote. The exhibition reinforces the fact that during World War One, women, were called and needed to fill jobs which were left vacant by their men who were fighting at the front. Many women were encouraged to join the National Service Women’s Land Army, or to enter into factories to make munitions, as examples.
The other noteworthy historical event of 1903, which would lead to a significant addition, to modern warfare, occurred on December 17th, when the Wright Brothers made the first sustained motor driven aircraft flight, at 10,30am from Kitty Hawk in North Carolina. The Aircraft was piloted by Orville Wright. This is a nod made by Robin to the fact that 2018 also notes 100 years since the formation of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1918. The artist has created a special commemorative version of his Cold Fell Goose, in red, white, and blue; the colours of the RAF roundel, which is part of the cathedral display.
At the, Drawing to a Close, of Robin’s Exhibition on July 8th, he hopes that a local Church, Gallery or Charity, for example, may wish to use his work for display leading thought until, or for Armistice Day, 2018. As once the 11th of November 2018, has been reached the artist will NOT return to the subject of War in his work. Having kept his personal Remembrance promise, Never to Forget! Motivated in his efforts since the age of 14 by his learning of the words of; John Mc Crae’s poem; In Flanders Fields (May 1915). John served as an army doctor during the War and wrote to us, asking in his third and final verse, that we; “Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw. The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though Poppies grow, in Flanders field”. Canadian John Mc Crae (1872 – 1918) Died on the 28 January 1918.
Robin Oliver’s Drawing to a Close Exhibition is displayed within the south aisle of Carlisle Cathedral, Castle Street, Carlisle, Cumbria, and is open daily until and including July 8th, 2018.
Entry to the Exhibition is Free.
