POPPIES FOR REMEMBRANCE
National Museum Cardiff
Sat 21 July-Sun 3 Mar
The poppy has long been synonymous with the remembrance of our fallen military in war and conflicts. But why? This exhibition will hope to provide a reason as to how it has become such an iconic emblem. The red corn poppy might be the most prevalent and recognisable, but there’s a few other options: the purple poppy, used to commemorate fallen animals in conflict, is now widely used to commemorate humans too, and when poppy-wearing first took hold it tended to be the white poppy that was worn. There’s also the fact that the poppy is far from a universal symbol of peace – the wearing of it is largely confined to the UK and parts of the Commonwealth.
The exhibition will look into the history of the poppy and its diversity, both as a simple plant, and as symbolic catalyst for both conflict and peace. The poppy seeds produce opium, which in turn produces both morphine and heroin – the most potent painkiller, and one of the most dangerous narcotics. Many wars have themselves been fought over the opium poppy, and this exhibition will allow visitors reflection on how and why we have created this symbolism around the poppy, both with peace and war.
Admission: free. Info: 029 2057 3500 / www.museum.wales (CM)