Objects: Letters, battlefield artefects.
Natural mulberry paper, cheesecloth, acrylic, rice paper
This piece is inspired by the study of letters between soldiers and their loved ones and research into the war artist Paul Nash. The artist created a fictional character, ’Alfred’, who served in the 7th (service) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment from July 1915 till his death in Ypres, aged 25, a year later.
The museum contains many battlefield artefacts that speak of lost lives and this Brodie helmet has been recreated in that spirit. Within are tucked love letters, sketches and rose petals sent by Alfred’s wife Elizabeth, and poppy heads in memory of his last resting place. The images over the helmet symbolise Alfred’s memories of his young wife whilst wearing it in the trenches of the Western Front.
