Children’s artwork remembers Holocaust
Artwork by Sunderland schoolchildren has been included in a brand-new exhibition.
75 Memorial Flames, created by children across the country, will go on display in London on Monday to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and the 75th anniversary of AuschwitzBirkenau liberation.
The shortlisted entry from Sunderland was commissioned and developed by Sunderland Libraries Services working with MBC Arts Wellbeing, and created by children from Bexhill Academy, Lambton Primary School, Grangetown Primary and St Leonard's Primary School.
Local blacksmith and artist Darren Witty, of Sunderland’s Norfolk Street Forge, helped to create the piece and will represent the city at the official UK Ceremony for
Holocaust Memorial Day.
Speaking before the event, Mr Witty explained where the idea for the artwork came from.
He said: “’Frei' was derived from the signage on concentration camps as humour from the Nazis. The full phrase was 'Arbeit macht frei' which translates to 'Work will set you free', a cold and ironic term as many who did not perish in the chambers were worked to death."
He added: "It was incredibly rewarding seeing the captivation in the faces of these remarkable youngsters as they helped create the monument.
"Children were horrifically damaged by what happened under the Nazi regime, and are counted as a large percent of the survivors of these camps.
“For this reason it's even more important that the local school children learn about the Holocaust, and ensure the next generation always remembers the past in order to not repeat it in the future."
More than 300 schools originally entered the competition, with a panel of esteemed judges picking the shortlisted entries.
Coun John Kelly, Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture, said: "It is an honour for artwork from our city's schoolchildren to be chosen in this national exhibition.
"One of our key values that we're focusing on is bringing our community together, and allowing our children to create this piece of art emphasises the fact that Sunderland stands together against racism and discrimination."