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Sunday 22 August 2010

I AM NOT THERE

A couple of weeks ago I went to the Imperial War Museum North on Salford Quays, if you have not been I recommend that you go, it is a great museum, very cleverly laid out. In fact the actual building the museum is housed in is a statement about war, it is made of three shards, each shard being a piece of an imagined globe shattered by conflict.
This journal page spread is inspired by this visit and this postcard and set of paper strips that I bought while there, the strips are used as a border around the page.


  I was a little unsure about blogging this piece as it uses a poem that is often used at funerals and I did not want to upset anyone who might think it a little in-appropriate, but I decided to go ahead as it is my interpretation of how the museum made me feel. After all war is a very sad thing.


I had always thought that this was a first World War poem but it turns out it isn't, in fact its origin is not really known. I found several versions of where it is thought to come from.......one that it was found on a soldier killed in Northern Ireland and read by his father at his funeral, another that it was written by a woman called Mary Frye in 1932 and yet another that says it is a Hopi Indian prayer. Whatever it is it gives me gooosebumps when I read it.



Now for another flower from my garden

See that little flower bud?
 Well it opened into this tiny little water lily! And I mean tiny, it is about an inch across and grows in a wooden barrel in my back garden!


I am entering this into the SUNDAY STAMPER challenge this week which is FLOWERS.

22 comments:

Lavender Rose said...

Love your pages Sue and the poem complements the artwork perfectly, very appropriate. I haven't been to the museum for a few years now but found it fascinating and well worth a visit. Great view from the top too.

CuddlyBunny said...

Everything here is so beautiful! I love this poem as well: To me it is inspiring rather than sad.

Also, the photos from your garden are making me so jealous that I'll soon be as green as your garden's leaves.

Helen said...

Your journal page is just lovely - and I love that poem, it is sad yes, but so poignant and appropriate. Love the flowers on your page - and in your barrel!

Sarah A said...

Hi Sue
Love your interpretation of the museum and poem. That poem makes me fill up everytime I read it or hear it.

I've not been to the Museum yet, not got an excuse really as I only work in Salford anyway! Might try and make time this week to go after work as I am on earlies!
I had planned to take the kids anyway.

Hope you had fun at the Steampunk journal workshop with THE main Sarah A!?

Sarah x

Sarah Anderson said...

Beautiful and sensitive journal page Sue! I've never wanted a grave when I die (bit of a morbid subject as you say but still...) as I don't want people to feel they have to go and leave flowers, I want people to remember me just when they remember - which this poem captures so beautifully! I haven't heard it for ages so it was good to read it again x

Sarah Anderson said...

Sarah what are you like!!! I'm only me lol

Chris Arlington said...

Fabulous, thought provoking poem. I love what you did with it. Your artwork is always fab.
Love your little water lily.

Hels Sheridan said...

Oooh, I got goosebumps reading that poem... I want that reading at my funeral.. I don't think it is morbid to think about death as it is something we are all gonna have to do someday.. hopefully not soon though!
Thanks for joinin in with the Sunday Stamper.. I love love love this page.. tis a beautiful memorial to all those who fell... and I too thought it was a WW1 poem.. by Wilfred Owen or Sassoon... shows how much I know :O)) TTFN xx

Netty said...

These pages really capture the essence of it all. Annette

Carol Q said...

I think these pages are absolutely stunning Sue. This poem always makes me stop and think. it is very poignant as Helen says. Your use of the Union Jack strips makes me think of the Dad's Army titles and the red flowers of Poppy Day. The whole thing is very evocative of the WWII time period.

Nigel said...

Wonderful pages, and they go so well with words. It's a beautiful poem, and no way inappropriate at all.

Zue said...

Sue, I think you should definitely post up what you think is right to express how you feel.If the museum had an effect on you, that effect will manifest itself in your art.

I really appreciate your spread, the poppies are representative of so many things; remembrance, beauty and fertility, (all those seeds).

I love the mini lilly in your tub!!

Any art work is more valuable if it is done in reponse to an influence.

Sue xx

Sid said...

Your pages have depth and feeling. I am always inspired by your work and this is a winner.

Cath Wilson said...

I feel the same way about that poem, Sue. Great pages - great sentiments. Emotional, sad thoughts - lead to fab artwork. More inspiration. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I remember reading that poem a while ago and thought it beautiful then.

I think that the journal pages are very beautiful,too. The war museum sounds like a place to keep in mind for a future visit.

Sheilagh said...

Beautiful pages that compliment a wonderful poem.

Rosie said...

Sue, I love this poem. It reminds me of the "War Poets", which were so haunting, they often made me cry when I was doing English at school. I think your journal spread is wonderful!

Caz said...

Beautiful page Sue. I picked this poem to be read at my Dad's funeral, although that was over ten years ago it still bought a tear but it's a beutiful page for the words!

Luna Art said...

These pages are beautiful and the poem works so well with them. I have spent ages looking through your blog and your work is amazing x

Val said...

Sue - this is so beautiful, and very moving.

This was read at a fuberal I attended a while back - it never fails to bring goosebumps and silent tears whenever I hear it.

Love your tiny waterlilly. Did not realise they grew so small.

Valxx

Anonymous said...

Your page is stunning Sue!

Lynne Phelps said...

I love that poems too, and your journal page is lovely! Also can't believe you have such beauty growing in a barrel for gosh sakes! Thanks for the inspiration all the way around!