Glass tears for Anzac soldiers

A significant piece of art was unveiled at the Stratford Club on Saturday afternoon in commemoration of all the soldiers that fought for our country in WWI.

Created by Waikato artist, Elwin Stone, Fallen Tears is 100 glass tear drops with the names of fallen soldiers that were members of the Stratford Club.

Elwin, who is originally from New Plymouth, was commissioned by the Stratford Club to re-create the piece of art based on a piece that she show cased in the Percy Thomson Gallery earlier this year.

"I created a commemorative based exhibition and this was my centre piece," says Elwin.

The inspiration for the entire exhibition came from her memories of her father and how he looked in his military uniform.

"When the Stratford Club approached me to create a piece for them I was delighted, it is nice to know there is a piece of me here in Taranaki," Elwin says.

Stratford Club president Brian Jeffares says Fallen Tears is a very inspiring piece of artwork.

"It will be held in high regard by the community."

Brian adds that of the 100 tears, 23 have names of fallen Stratford Club members on them and the remaining 77 will be available for the community.

"Families can purchase a tear and have a name of a family member engraved on it, a very special way to commemorate a family member."

Fallen Tears was unveiled by Stratford District mayor Neil Volzke who says he was privileged and proud to be a part of the unveiling of "such a special piece of art".