'Your Next Breath', Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, January, 2023

A thought provoking memorial to the Covid19 pandemic sits in the gardens of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. There are four statues standing expressing emotions of despair, tiredness and exhaustion. These bronze cast life sized figures are based on the real life experiences of three health care workers. The work is called “Your next breadth” and you have to pass by it as you enter into the Royal College.

'Your Next Breath', Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, January, 2023
The four figures.

I was there for a conference and had the opportunity to visit the artwork. I was inspired to take many pictures at different angles of which my personal selection is shown in this blog. The artist and sculptor, Kenny Hunter, designed this work and I found more examples of his work on Instagram. These four figures are set out in a diamond with three looking forward and the fourth looking into the circle with arms outstretched. They radiate a powerful message about working at the frontline during Covid19 and are a fitting tribute to all the health workers that were involved in the care of patients.

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Like any emotive pieces of artwork, the photography is a challenge as you look to take a picture that is different from all the publicity pictures that have been taken. I felt privileged to be able to take the pictures that are in the blog. As readers will know, I have seen many tributes and several of them have been featured in my blog. The photography of this memorial adds to my increasing story of the pandemic and how people are remembering what happened. These tributes will allow people to find closure after a turbulent time in the history of mankind.

'Your Next Breath', Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, January, 2023
Even during the night.

This is one of several art installations that have occurred since the pandemic. I have provided links to these for your further reading.

Standing with Giants

I have been to several art installations which reflect on the Covid19 pandemic.  I have covered “In Memoriam” Luke Jerram’s flag creation that visited Aston Hall. The flags were blue and white and made from hospital bed sheets.  They were stunningly arranged in a medical symbol. “This is Gratitude” is an Art installation of 51 sculptures championed by Dame Zandra Rhodes. The figures visited Chamberlain square in central Birmingham and were painted by several artists.  These two installations were colourful, moving and told stories about different aspects of the Pandemic. 

Standing with Giants
The front and ….
Standing with Giants
The grounds of Coombe Abbey make a superb setting for the installation
Standing with Giants
The backs of the figures with the messages of thanks and hope.

Would I go and visit a third installation by the “Standing with Giants” organisation?  This post tells the story of my visit to the installation. I nearly missed it and only picked up on the tour via a photographer I follow on social media.  The beautiful grounds of Coombe Abbey were the setting for the visit.  Standing with Giants consists of 300 figures cut out of industrial recyclable materials. On one side, there are colourful paintings of key NHS workers.  When you first encounter the figures, you are struck by how many of them there are.  Already there are emotional touches to the installation as bouquets of flowers have been left at the feet of some of the figures. 

Standing with Giants
Playing hide and seek amongst the figures
Standing with Giants
Having fun
Standing with Giants
Sandy writing her message

Chloë, my grand daughter, started playing hide and seek amongst the figures and I followed her deep into the art display.  As I turned around, there was a surprised waiting for me.  The backs of all the figures were black and there were messages written in white.  The sight of all the black figures wearing white face masks is extraordinary. It was different to the colourful front facing view. The messages were a mixture of thanks, hope and remembrance. The were both moving and a joy to read.  Clive, one of the volunteers, came over to us and handed us one of the white writing pens. Sandy is an ex nurse and she penned a message on back of one of the figures.  We spent a good 15 to 20 minutes taking in the messages and the sights.  It was a different approach and I am fortunate to have seen three different installations that make you think, challenge and also help in reflection about many of the individual tragedies that happened during the pandemic.

Standing with Giants
More of Coombe Abbey

Finally…..We just want to say thank you to Clive who was one of the volunteers on the day we visited ‘Standing with Giants’. Clive explained what to do with writing the messages and showed us where the white marker pens were kept. A friendly face to the installation. Thank you.

Standing with Giants
Clive an enthusiastic volunteer assisting at the Installation.