Celebrated local artist awarded an MBE in the New Year’s honours list.

05 January 2021

Celebrated local artist Rob Heard has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s honours list.

 

Rob rose to prominence in 2016 when his ‘Somme’ installation was exhibited in Exeter’s Northernhay Gardens 

 

‘The Somme 19240’ was a large-scale artwork representing each of the 19,240 UK and commonwealth soldiers who died on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on the 1st July 1916. Each individually- named soldier was represented by a 12-inch figure, wrapped and bound in a hand-stitched shroud and arranged in rows on the ground.

 

Rob details his thought process as follows;

 

"Whilst working on the piece it became clear that it was much more than just a figurative representation of the bodies. Crafting in my small workshop with a list of names pinned to the wall, I worked day and night, hand stitching a calico shroud for each figure as I contemplated each name, each person – all with potential unrealised. As they were wrapped, each figure bent into a distinctive shape – some with legs folded, others outstretched – each one as unique as the individual men they represent. Working in these simple conditions of reflection and repetition the figures took on their own significance. I felt individually connected to each name on the list as I crossed them off one by one, transferring this energy to each form".

 

He was supported by the Devon branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity and as a result of his devotion a total of £53,000 was raised for the benefit of serving and veteran military personnel in need. 

 

Rob went in to create a total of 72,396 of these small figures for an exhibition in London’s Olympic Park titled - ‘The Shrouds of the Somme’ where each figure represented the exact number of servicemen whose bodies were never recovered from the battleground. 

 

Rob continued his work in association with SSAFA Devon for many months, eventually extending the original shroud concept into the construction of a WW1 trench, the walls of which were made of the same figures. 

 

The mass destruction of humanity was vividly conveyed in all the exhibitions and many viewers were moved to tears.

 

SSAFA Devon recognised Rob’s outstanding contribution to the UK’s oldest military charity by making him an Honorary Vice President.

 

Rob’s passion for his art is channelled into unique and thought-provoking work which has gained wide acclaim. His many, hugely inspirational creations, including the beautiful and intricate Bough House sculptures are very popular all over the world and can be viewed on his website: www.robheard.co.uk 

 

SSAFA Devon provides care and support to serving and retired members of our armed services and their families. 

If you are interested in helping in any way please call 01392 254611

If you would like to donate £5 please text SALUTE to 70085. Calls will cost the donation amount plus one standard network call charge.