Remembrance sculpture made from 2500 poppies blooms at Hull Paragon

The six-metre-long sculpture, created by Hull-based artist Andy Pea, is made up of approximately 2500 handmade poppies, now cascades from floor to ceiling, creating a moving visual for passengers arriving at the station.

The work will be in place until Thursday 20 November, thanks to funding and support from TransPennine Express, LNER, Northern and Hull City Council and is part of a national series of events commemorating 200 years of the railway.

Beneath the cascading poppies visitors can stand, reflect, and look up through the artwork as it reaches toward the ceiling.

Each poppy in the installation has been lovingly crafted by members of the local community, including groups from the ReNew drug and alcohol rehabilitation service, Adelaide Primary School, the Lighthouse Project, a local women’s refuge.

Among those supporting the project is Yeseniia Serdiuk, a refugee from Ukraine who has been working alongside Andy and volunteers, learning artistic skills and sharing her own experiences of resilience and renewal.

“Every poppy carries a story,” said artist Andy Pea. “They’ve been made by hands from all walks of life, people who’ve overcome challenges, found new hope, or wanted to remember someone special. Together, they form a single bloom of community strength.”

The installation’s location at Hull Paragon Station holds special historical significance as research undertaken as part of the project uncovered the story of a Northumberland Fusiliers 17th, North Eastern Railway Pioneers Battalion raised directly from the station’s staff during the First World War.

Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: “It is a chance for anyone passing through to stop and reflect. The artwork builds upon that legacy, connecting the city’s history of service and sacrifice to its modern-day spirit of unity.”

Andy also discovered that his own grandfather was part of that battalion - the 17th man to enlist during a recruitment drive at the station.

“The installation is about remembrance, but also regeneration,” Andy added. “Every poppy represents a life, a story, a moment of hope — and together they tell Hull’s story and that of the railway in its 200^th year, in full bloom.”

A service of remembrance is set to take place at Hull Paragon station at 11am on Friday 7 November and anyone is welcome to attend. It will honour the role of the railway in supporting the nation at times of war and those who have fought in past and current conflicts.

Passengers and anyone passing through the station can make and donate their own handmade poppy, complete with a short note of remembrance or a personal message and leave them with volunteers from City of Culture and HEY UK.