School children commemorate WWI Fallen

WWI Centenary Sculpture Project for Victoria Avenue

Pupils from Keith Street School, Okoia School, St Mary’s School and Carlton School have recently worked with the Sarjeant Gallery’s Education Team Sietske Jansma and Andrea Gardner on a project focusing on the theme of memory and aspects of the WWI story.

Individual artworks made from recycled banners and other mixed media have been assembled as four group sculptures on plinths along Victoria Avenue.

These “memorials” pay tribute to the animals that were vital in supporting soldiers and the war effort during World War One and feature horses, dogs and pigeons.

Horses carried officers into the field or hauled heavy loads of supplies. Dogs worked as sentries, scouts, ratters, casualty finders, messengers and mascots. Pigeons, called the “winged wireless”, carried messages and with their speed and strength had a 95% success rate. This project honours the memory of these animals.

This unique exhibition forms part of Whanganui’s ongoing WWI 100 year commemorations which began last November and will run until 2019 with various other events, exhibits and research projects still to come and ongoing. Mainstreet

Wanganui Inc assisted the Sarjeant staff with installation of the works along with crosses which have been placed in the islands to commemorate Whanganui’s fallen.

The exhibition was installed in time for the July school holidays and will be removed during the September/October term break.

What: WWI Centenary Sculpture Project

When: July - October

Where: Victoria Avenue

ends

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