In July, I took these photos of a new bronze memorial erected last year in Victoria Park, St. John’s. I’m sharing them in honour of Remembrance Day tomorrow.
Inspired by the memory of his own grandfather, artist Morgan MacDonald named it One Hundred Portraits of the Great War.
“Cast from the faces of 100 descendants of Newfoundland Regiment soldiers who fought in the First World War, the installation is a kind of “living memory” featuring the families who have carried pain, loss, and pride throughout the last century. After casting each volunteer, MacDonald arranged the bronze effigies, then welded the casts to an oval frame reminiscent of antique war portraits.” – CBC News, NL
Volunteers had to stay still and breathe through straws while the casting hardened.
MacDonald said, “I think it’s incredibly special to have a placeholder and a location, so the families can come and reflect on that memory.”
Evocative? I believe so, particularly when viewed in person. Haunting? Definitely.
So is war.
Further reading:
100 faces, 100 years: Bronze memorial to fallen soldiers unveiled
Putting a face on history
Jennifer's Journal 
Wow, I was moved by the faces just from the photograph, I can imagine seeing it in person would have a profound effect on me. Thanks so much for the post.
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You are more than welcome! So glad you liked it, and thanks for following my blog. 🙂
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I love Morgan MacDonald! I discovered him when I visited St. John’s this past spring. And serendipity, I chose his sculpture “The Homecoming” to commemorate Remembrance Day. A beautiful post. Profound and poignant.
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Serendipity indeed! Great minds, I guess. 😉
“The Homecoming” is gorgeous. So glad you got to visit my hometown. Now If only I could visit yours…
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That would be wonderful!!
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Very moving. Thanks for sharing Jennifer. 🙏
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You’re welcome, Val. xx
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Such awesome snaps
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Thank you, Joanne.
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It certainly is haunting Jennifer, I imagine it must be very powerful in person.
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It is. I’m impressed by any artist who can make such an emotional impact with his or her work.
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What a statement that sculpture makes…powerful. Thanks for sharing, Jennifer.
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Powerful indeed. Thanks, and you’re welcome, Jill!
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So meaningful that they’re real faces of WWI veterans’ children or grandchildren. I did some research on WWI for my new novel. A horrendously tragic loss of so many lives.
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And these were only one hundred of the descendants that lost loved ones to that war. The actual loss of lives was staggering.
Your new book sounds great, Connie. We learn so much when we do research for our writing, don’t we?
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Yes, that’s one of the things I like about writing – learning.
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It’s unavoidable!
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This is amazing. Thanks for sharing it.
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You’re welcome, Darlene!
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What an original sculpture. You can’t leave that being unaffected I suspect.
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It certainly affected me, Jacqui.
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Wow! This is one of the most haunting sculpture displays I’ve seen, Jennifer. Incredibly evocative of grief and anguish … a perfect share for this Remembrance Sunday. hugs xx
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I thought so too, Annika. Evocative, and an incredibly inventive way to make a powerful statement. Hugs back. xx
By the way, WordPress just told me this is my 500th post! 🙂
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Hooray!! 😀🤗 Congratulations🎉🎉 … that is very impressive. Here’s to the next 500!! xx
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Thank you, but I don’t know about 500 more! 😀
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Happy 500th!
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Thanks! At least someone is counting. 😄
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