The creators of the spectacular ceramic poppy installation in the moat of the Tower of London, commemorating the outbreak of the first world war, both receive MBEs in the New Year honours.
Ceramic artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper saw their installation, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, achieve worldwide popularity, with more than 5 million visitors.
The installation that captured the public’s imagination included 888,246 ceramic poppies planted between 17 July and 11 November, one for each British and colonial military fatality during the first world war. It was highlighted by the Queen during her Christmas broadcast to the Commonwealth.
Thousands of volunteers helped to “plant” the poppies, then removed them in November to be packed up and sent to members of the public who paid £25 each, with the artwork raising millions of pounds for charity.
The honours come days after the two said they were not expecting their work to be recognised with a Turner prize nomination.
“It is not going to happen,” Cummins said. “Probably if it had been anyone else, yes.”
Piper added: “Paul’s a Derby-based artist and I’m a theatre designer and ‘not an artist’, although I beg to differ.”
Cummins said he felt “taken aback and extremely happy to receive this unexpected honour”.
“Everyone who worked on Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, to me, should feel a part of this MBE. Without them this installation wouldn’t have been created. It has been a real privilege to co-create an artwork which has meant so much to so many people.”
