A miniature sculpture of a First World War soldier is currently on display in the Regimental Chapel at Chester Cathedral to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme.
British sculptor Nic Joly has placed 141 bronze figures holding poppies on 141 memorials all over the country as well as abroad.
The polished bronze figures stand just 50mm, or about two inches tall, with their red poppies.
Each figure is intended ‘to simply stand somewhere on each memorial, looking out at the world, reminding us that every life lost was a golden one’, says the cathedral.
The international installation is about awareness, making people stop, remember, and think about what happened 100 years ago.
Members of the public are encouraged to go and look at the memorials in their locality and search out the figurines.
Nic Joly said: “The golden soldiers are out there for you to find. Stop and look at your memorials wherever they are, and think about why they exist.”
“In my own small way I strive to create my own worlds and sculptures to ask and bring to the forefront the dilemmas and questions that we all feel and face day to day, as well as highlight the madness around us.”
People who find the sculptures are encouraged to share pictures of the figures and their locations via social media. They have already been spotted across the country – from Scotland to Land’s End.
Peter Howell-Jones, Vice Dean of Chester Cathedral, said: “We are very pleased to host one of Nic Joly’s sculptures and hope that people who visit the building and the chapel will find time to reflect on the centenary and all those who lost their lives.”
Nic Joly started his artistic career in a stained glass and metalwork workshop in the south of England. He then went on to study at The Winchester School of Art in Hampshire. His intricate figurines are made from wire, paper and clay.
What began as Nic’s hobby has now transformed into a passion for sculpting minute depictions of everyday life.
