May 26, 2016 10.53 am This story is over 105 months old

Poppies: Wave at Lincoln Castle opens to visitors

Visitors to Lincoln Castle will now be able to see a poignant ceramic poppy sculpture for the next three months after it was opened to visitors this morning. Poppies: Wave has now opened to the public, and the striking installation will be on display at Lincoln Castle for free from May 26 to September 4. Wave…

Visitors to Lincoln Castle will now be able to see a poignant ceramic poppy sculpture for the next three months after it was opened to visitors this morning.

Poppies: Wave has now opened to the public, and the striking installation will be on display at Lincoln Castle for free from May 26 to September 4.

Wave is one of two sculptures taken from the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.

The installation was originally at Tower of London in 2014 where 888,246 poppies were displayed, one to honour every death in the British and Colonial forces of the First World War.

Lincoln was chosen to host Wave for the First World War centenary, as it was a major centre for the manufacture of weapons and munitions during the conflict.

The poppies and original concept was conceived by Derbyshire-born artist Paul Cummins and the installation was designed by Tom Piper.

Designer Tom Piper and artist Paul Cummins at Lincoln Castle for Poppies: Wave. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Designer Tom Piper and artist Paul Cummins at Lincoln Castle for Poppies: Wave. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Artist Paul Cummins said: “It looks really good but the best view of the display is where the prisoners come round! I’m pleased with how it’s turned out, especially how some of the poppies look like they’re trying to escape from the castle.

“It’s good how the display changes in every location, so you can adapt it a bit. I really like how the poppies look set against the stone of the castle walls.

“It took a little bit longer to set up here in Lincoln. The craning in of the poppies was a challenge and this display is two metres higher than anywhere else.

“The people of Lincoln have really got behind it though, a lot more than I was expecting if I’m being honest, which I’m delighted with.”