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Flowers of War

A collaborative commemorative enamel work of art

The appearance of cornflowers and poppies on the battlefields at the end of the First World War symbolised for many the fragility of life and the hope of rebirth. This collaborative work of art comprises enamelled floral emblems of remembrance, inspired by those found on the battlefield and at home.

Measuring over two metres in diameter and composed of more than 400 individual handcrafted brooches, Flowers of War draws on stories of the First World War from local community archives and museums to consider the many ways people reflect upon the past.

Flowers of War by Kirsten Haydon, Neal Haslem and Elizabeth Turrell Flowers of War 2018
by Kirsten Haydon, Elizabeth Turrell and Neal Haslem
Photo transfer, steel, enamel
Photo: Vlad Bunyevich
Comprising more than 400 individual floral brooches the wreath measures over two metres in diameter.
  • Flowers of War brooch no. 126 Maple 2018
  • Flowers of War brooch no. 181 Cornflower 2018
  • Flowers of War brooch no. 185 Silver Poplar 2018
  • Flowers of War brooch no. 113 Blue Gum 2017

  • Flowers of War brooch no. 126 Maple 2018

    by Kirsten Haydon, Neal Haslem and Elizabeth Turrell. enamel, photo transfer, steel. photo by Vlad Bunyevich

  • Flowers of War brooch no. 181 Cornflower 2018

    by Kirsten Haydon, Neal Haslem and Elizabeth Turrell. enamel, steel. photo by Vlad Bunyevich

  • Flowers of War brooch no. 185 Silver Poplar 2018

    by Kirsten Haydon, Neal Haslem and Elizabeth Turrell. enamel, photo transfer, steel. photo by Vlad Bunyevich

  • Flowers of War brooch no. 113 Blue Gum 2017

    by Kirsten Haydon, Neal Haslem and Elizabeth Turrell. enamel, steel. photo by Vlad Bunyevich

  • Flowers of War brooch no. 220 Wild Chamomile 2018

    by Kirsten Haydon, Neal Haslem and Elizabeth Turrell. enamel, steel. photo by Vlad Bunyevich

Showing item 1 of 5, Flowers of War brooch no. 126 Maple 2018

Explore the exhibition from home

Explore Flowers of War from home using the Shrine's virtual tour

Meet the artists: Flowers of War

Meet two of the artists, Kirsten Haydon and Neal Haslem, behind the Shrine's special centenary of Armistice exhibition, Flowers of War, in conversation with the Shrine's Director Access and Learning.

Read more about the exhibition

This collaborative work of art comprises enamelled floral emblems of remembrance, inspired by those found on the battlefield and at home.

Behind the scenes of Flowers of War

Scheduled to close in October 2019 was special exhibition, ‘Flowers of war’. The stunning commemorative wreath has, however, found a new home beside our Peace gallery.

Flowers of war is a collaboration between the artists Kirsten Haydon (NZ), Elizabeth Turrell (UK) and Neal Haslem (AUST).This project is supported by the Creative New Zealand WW100 Co-commissioning Fund and RMIT University.

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