FOREVER

Why do we forget?

Forever, 2014-2015
Marble
Unique work
H240 x W300 x D240cm
© Mark Humphrey

COLLECTOR
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council

COLLABORATORS
Wiltshire County Council
Corps of Royal Engineers (British Army)

DEDICATION
HRH The Princess Royal

LOCATION
Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, UK

“THE STONE POPPY MEMORIAL IS CRAFTED FROM HARD MARBLE TO REPRESENT THE HARSHNESS OF WAR; THE WHITE OF THE STONE SIGNIFIES PEACE; ILLUMINATED BY RED IN REMEMBRANCE; IT’S DELICATE PETALS SHOW THE VULNERABILITY OF HUMAN LIFE; SHAPED INTO FOUR HEARTS TO EXPRESS GRATITUDE, HONOUR, LOVE AND RESPECT; THE PETALS MEET TO FORM A CROSS AS A SYMBOL OF SACRIFICE AND FORGIVENESS.”

Mark Humphrey

“A MARBLE POPPY MEMORIAL, TITLED ‘FOREVER’, HAS BEEN GIFTED TO A WILTSHIRE TOWN IN HONOUR OF THE ROLE IT PLAYED WHEN FALLEN SOLDIERS WERE REPATRIATED TO ENGLAND.”

ITV West Country
News

“THE RESIDENTS REVIEWS ARE MARVELLOUS…HOW WONDERFUL YOUR CREATION WAS AND HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO HAVE IT. I DON’T THINK THAT PEOPLE REALISE THAT “FOREVER” IS HERE FOREVER.”

Ian Ferries, Mayor
Royal Wootton Bassett

“I THINK IT IS SUCH A TRULY MARVELLOUS PIECE OF ART, AND IT RATHER EPITOMISES THE SPIRIT OF WOOTTON BASSETT IN MANY WAYS.” 

Ian Ferries, Mayor
Royal Wootton Bassett

“THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL AND APPROPRIATE POPPY SCULPTURE WHICH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE TOWN OF ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT. IT IS SUCH A MOVING TRIBUTE TO ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN WE WATCHED BEING BROUGHT BACK HOME THROUGH OUR TOWN. THOSE OF US THAT WERE THERE WILL NEVER FORGET THOSE SAD DAYS.”

Chris Jackson, Resident 
Royal Wootton Bassett 

“WHAT AN INCREDIBLE, DIGNIFIED AND RESPECTFUL MEMORIAL, I REALLY THINK YOU HAVE PRODUCED A WONDERFUL PIECE OF ART THAT SUMS UP THE AMAZING DEDICATION AND UNITARY THAT ROYAL WOOTON BASSETT HAVE SHOWN OVER THE YEARS. A TRULY HUMBLING MEMORIAL THAT IS A FITTING TRIBUTE AND I FEEL WILL BE TIMELESS.”

Richie Hines, Regimental Sergeant Major 
26 Engineer Regiment 

“I LOVE YOUR WORK. I WAS DOING A SEARCH FOR IMAGES FOR MY WEBSITE AND CAME ACROSS YOUR POPPY, WHICH IN TURN LEAD TO YOUR WEBPAGE. YOU ARE A RARE BREED AND I BOW TO YOU WITH THANKS FOR ALL YOU’VE DONE.”

British Soldier
Member of the public

“ARTIST MARK HUMPHREY SAID THE PIECE, CALLED FOREVER, WOULD SERVE AS A MEMORIAL TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.”

BBC Wiltshire
News

“THE STUDENTS SAY THEY HAD A FANTASTIC DAY THAT RESULTED IN SOME REALLY CREATIVE IDEAS.  THE STUDENTS REALLY APPRECIATED THIS OPPORTUNITY, IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS THE MOST WONDERFUL DAY.”

Karen Goddard
Royal Wootton Bassett Academy