A new "Tommy" statue recently arrived in Albert, France. It is a magnificent, 6.5-meter-tall (23-foot) scrap-metal sculpture officially named The Hauntings. It was installed in June 2026, on the Place d'Armes, directly in front of the famous Basilique Notre-Dame de Brebières.
Created as part of the town's commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme by artist Martin Galbavy and blacksmith Chris Hannam of Dorset Forge & Fabrication, the statue is meticulously crafted from hundreds of pieces of scrap metal. The installation is temporary for Albert. In 2027, it will be transferred to Arras for the commemoration of the 1917 battle fought in that sector.
This is magnificent. Such artistry and vision. A world away from static statuary and sentimentalism. Scrap metal is the perfect medium for such an expression of a Great War soldier.
ReplyDeleteSorry: must disagree--But we don't have to go war about it. I hope this doesn't become common. It is the third worst military statue I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteYour Editor MUST KNOW! What are #1 and #2?
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