Weeping Window: Poppies at the Senedd

The Senedd was honoured to exhibit the iconic poppy sculpture, Poppies: Weeping Window, by artist Paul Cummins MBE and designer Tom Piper MBE, between 8 August–24 September 2017. This coincided with the centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele, which took the lives of many Welshmen. During these seven weeks more than 49,000 people visited the Senedd to see the cascade of several thousand handmade ceramic poppies. The installation had previously been at Caernarfon Castle (see p. 56) in 2016.

Alongside the Weeping Window installation, the Senedd organised additional supporting activities, in partnership with the Welsh Centre for International Affairs and their ‘Wales for Peace’ programme, including a public and school outreach programme. The Senedd also hosted the deeply moving exhibition ‘Women, War and Peace’ by the Welsh Centre for International Affairs, with renowned photo-journalist Lee Karen Stow, which included specially commissioned portraits telling the stories of Welsh women affected by war. Quotes from visitors to the installation included:

‘It almost feels like the sculpture is coming from heaven through the Assembly and out again.’ ‘Art is such a powerful and positive way to explain to younger generations what went on.’

Right: Poppies: Weeping Window displayed at the Senedd in August and September 2017 © National Assembly for Wales