This project was part of the Art in the Orchard 2021 Biennial.  The location is Park Hill Orchard, Easthampton, MA. It was a perfect location nestled amongst the blueberry fields and apple trees at the orchard. 

Yarn bombing is traditionally installed on a wall or fence or an object like a tree. This crochet piece is truly unique by using the ground plane as the place of installation.  The thought of creating a yarn bombing piece that would be displayed on the ground was a revelation.  Thus, the idea of The Poppy Field was born.  The struggles of the global pandemic served as inspiration to find a way to remember and honor the sacrifices and losses of so many people, while trying to seek out a form which may create hope for the future.

The Poppy Field contains over 3200 crocheted poppies sewn onto a netting to allow the grass to grow up and around each of the crocheted poppies emulating a real poppy field.  This interactive crochet piece was inspired by Flanders Field (in Belgium) where poppies were the only plant to flourish and bloom in the decimated and battle scarred landscape, after World War 1. Many poems have been written in remembrance with the most famous one by John McRae, a Canadian Soldier, titled ‘In Flanders Field”.

Poppies have long been a symbol of remembrance and hope since World War 1. Revitalizing the poppy as a symbol of remembrance and hope felt an appropriate and timely tribute to the intense and far reaching impact of the global pandemic. Remember the past and hope for the future.