Life Line (C) Arthur Waton
The anniversary of the Iolaire disaster on 1st January 2019 was the final formal event in the official, national four-year programme commemorating the Centenary of The Great War. A time for deep reflection, it was also the appropriate time to create a significant memorial that gave the tragedy the national profile and place in history it merited and created a legacy for the community and for those visiting the island.
Arthur Watson RSA, Marian Levan RSA and Will Maclean RSA, three of the most senior and respected visual artists in Scotland were commissioned to create a bronze sculpture located near the site where the vessel was wrecked.
It was intended to complement the present memorial, encourage deep reflection, symbolise, represent and commemorate survivors, those lost, their families and the survival of the community itself. Because, ultimately, it is not possible to fully understand the history of Lewis in the 20th Century without recognising the scale and impact of the Iolaire disaster.
The Iolaire Centenary Sculpture was commissioned by An Lanntair in partnership with:
– Arts and Business
– Gael Force Group
– Stornoway Port Authority
– Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn
– Point and Sandwick Trust
– Horshader Community Trust
– Tolsta Community Development Trust
– Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
HRH The Prince Charles, Lord of the Isles and the First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon joined hundreds at the unveiling of the Iolaire War Memorial on New Year’s Day to remember the Iolaire Tragedy.
