1.10.25 - Humanitarian Memorial, created by Michael Landy, launched today at Gunnersbury Park in London
Today the first global Humanitarian Memorial, created by Michael Landy CBE, RA, was launched by HRH The Prince of Wales in Gunnersbury Park to commemorate all humanitarians who have died in service, and to celebrate humanitarianism and those who continue to put their lives at risk to help others in need.
Colleagues and family of humanitarian workers who have been killed in service attended the launch event, as well as representatives from the humanitarian and arts sectors, and local dignitaries. Other speakers at the event included Tom Fletcher CMG, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Sayyeda Salam, Executive Director for Concern Worldwide UK, and Sir John Holmes, Chair of the Humanitarian Memorial Committee.
Gunnersbury Park, West London, was chosen as the site for the memorial due to the local community of people who have been affected by humanitarian disasters around the world. The memorial offers a lasting tribute to aid workers in a peaceful setting, which welcomes both interaction and reflection.
The Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy was tasked with commissioning a contemporary artist to carry out this project, for which Michael Landy was unanimously selected. Landy’s design features a circle of 15 human-scale figures, grouped in fives, with spaces allowing visitors to join hands to ‘complete the circle.’ Each figure features the first-hand story of either a giver or recipient of humanitarian assistance – stories that have been provided by international aid agencies like Oxfam, Save the Children and Care International.
The open-air Memorial will enter the collection of the museum of Gunnersbury Park, which has an established Education and Outreach programme, and presents an ideal context for sharing stories of the memorial and humanitarianism more widely.
Humanitarian Memorial
Gunnersbury Park
Popes Lane
London
W3 8LQ Further information
Colleagues and family of humanitarian workers who have been killed in service attended the launch event, as well as representatives from the humanitarian and arts sectors, and local dignitaries. Other speakers at the event included Tom Fletcher CMG, United Nations Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Sayyeda Salam, Executive Director for Concern Worldwide UK, and Sir John Holmes, Chair of the Humanitarian Memorial Committee.
Gunnersbury Park, West London, was chosen as the site for the memorial due to the local community of people who have been affected by humanitarian disasters around the world. The memorial offers a lasting tribute to aid workers in a peaceful setting, which welcomes both interaction and reflection.
The Contemporary Art Society *Consultancy was tasked with commissioning a contemporary artist to carry out this project, for which Michael Landy was unanimously selected. Landy’s design features a circle of 15 human-scale figures, grouped in fives, with spaces allowing visitors to join hands to ‘complete the circle.’ Each figure features the first-hand story of either a giver or recipient of humanitarian assistance – stories that have been provided by international aid agencies like Oxfam, Save the Children and Care International.
The open-air Memorial will enter the collection of the museum of Gunnersbury Park, which has an established Education and Outreach programme, and presents an ideal context for sharing stories of the memorial and humanitarianism more widely.
Humanitarian Memorial
Gunnersbury Park
Popes Lane
London
W3 8LQ Further information