‘In Memorium’ comes to Weston’s shore

In Memoriam’, a stunning, immersive artwork from internationally acclaimed artist Luke Jerram, has been launched today on Weston-super-Mare’s beach to mark the start of the second Weston Arts + Health Week, taking place throughout the town from 18 – 26 September.

Full event details at cultureweston.org.uk/listings/weston-arts-health-week/

Image: In Memorium launches in Weston CREDIT Sally Low.

Living in nearby Bristol, Luke Jerram has had more than 500 exhibitions now in over 30 countries worldwide, with many famous artworks including Museum of the Moon, Gaia and the Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine - made in glass. www.lukejerram.com. This is his first presentation in Weston-super-Mare.

The installation of over 100 flags, made of hospital bedsheets and planted in the sand by the sea, forms a strikingly beautiful display against the backdrop of Weston’s famous shore and along the beach from the town’s iconic Grand Pier. 

This poignant piece of public art is a temporary memorial for people to visit and remember all that we have lost from the Covid-19 pandemic. It is also made in tribute to the many NHS health and care workers, both on the frontline and in supporting roles, who have given such invaluable support during the crisis.

Presented in the open air and in windy locations, the structure allows people of all ages including children, to enter and walk freely between the flags and to explore and contemplate the artwork in a safe, socially distanced way. There will be an information board explaining more about the artwork and marshals will be present every day to interact with the public and ensure the smooth-running of the event.

In Memoriam will be displayed every day on the beach in Weston throughout the Weston Arts + Health Week (18 – 26 September)

Situated at Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1BE, adjacent to Revo Kitchen  and along the beach from the Grand Pier, the public artwork is free to visit at any time. There is parking in and around the town, and the train station is just a short walk away from the seafront.

In Memoriam, funded by Arts Council England, was originally commissioned by the Arts & Culture Programme at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) and Culture Weston.

The artwork was originally intended to mark the launch of Culture Weston, the joining of two hospital trusts to form UHBW and the inaugural Weston Arts + Health Week in April 2020, but this couldn’t take place. Since then the acclaimed artwork has been re-imagined as a contemplative response to the coronavirus pandemic and has been experienced by communities all over the UK and in Europe before coming home to Weston-super-Mare.

The second Weston Arts + Health Week has been made possible through funding from Arts Council England, Without Walls, Quartet Community Foundation, North Somerset Council, Theatre Orchard and Culture Weston, Age UK, The Green Social Prescribing funds and Weston Hospital Charity.

Considerable in kind support has been provided by Weston Town Council, Weston  College, Alliance Homes, The Grand Pier, Revo Kitchen and many local businesses as well as the online contributors, including Bristol University, UWE and Arts University Bournemouth.

Luke Jerram said: “In Memoriam was originally designed for presentation on the beach in Weston-super-Mare but the exhibition was delayed due to the pandemic, so it’s great the artwork is finally being presented there.

“It feels like, as a nation, we need to come to terms with everything we’ve been through. I hope this artwork will create a framed space and moment in time for personal and shared reflection.”

Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Placemaking and Economy at North Somerset Council, said: “This incredible installation and the recent cultural events we’ve had over the summer are a shining example of the fantastic placemaking work taking place in the town and all part of the ten-year placemaking strategy we’ve put in place for Weston.

“It’s truly fitting that In Memorium has been put here as a cultural movement begins to bloom in the town – only yesterday the Arts Council recognised our ability as a vibrant cultural town as we were announced as a priority place to receive funding and support to improve our cultural offering over the next three years.

“We all know someone who’s been affected by Covid and this is a fitting tribute to all the NHS and care workers, offering a peaceful place to stop, reflect and remember as well as a marker of hope and optimism for the future”

The Weston Arts + Health Week presents over 45 events including a daily programme of free creative tasters, lunchtime digital panels offering food for thought on a range of arts + health issues and teatime artists’ talks.  

Weston Arts + Health Week Highlights:

Saturday 18 September, evening: A ‘Here for You’ procession with NHS staff, care workers and volunteers participating in a torch-lit beach walk, departing from the grounds of Weston General Hospital at 6pm to arrive at In Memoriam for 7.30pm.  An evocative installation of flickering flames and the soothing sounds of the Costanzi Consort Choir will surround the artwork as the sun sets.

Friday 24 September: ‘In Memoriam’ provides the setting for the premiere of a new dance commission, created and performed amongst the flags by the internationally renowned ‘Studio Wayne McGregor’, alongside dance students from Weston College. The event will feature a community chorus which all are welcome to join with a practice-at-home dance resource available at

https://cultureweston.org.uk/listings/a-dance-response-to-in-memoriam/

and a massed early evening rehearsal on the beach on Thursday 23 September.

Saturday 25 September: During the final weekend, everyone is invited to reflect on recent times with an inspiring light installation ‘Recovery Poems’ by Emergency Exit Arts. Join poet Bob Walton and North Somerset Music Service by this light installation to enjoy and contribute to music and poetry shaped by the community and its experiences of the pandemic.  Recovery Poems is a partnership project between Without Walls, Emergency Exit Arts, 101 Outdoor Arts, and Thatcham Town Council.

Sunday 26 September, afternoon: The Festival finale will take place on Weston beach, with the first public sharing of ‘A Song for In Memoriam’, specially commissioned from local composer David Ogden for Weston Arts + Health Week and sung by members of the newly formed UHBW NHS choir. As the event draws to an end, the community is invited to join in this uplifting moment, held within the flags of In Memoriam.