Empty chairs artwork pays tribute to the fallen

More than 200 miniature handmade wooden chairs stand on a polished porcelain plinth facing towards a church altar.

They are made with wooden dowels and lollipop sticks, but none have a seat, which is to demonstrate that they will never be sat on again.

This is because every one of the 219 chairs represents an individual named on the war memorial in Nantwich town centre and the chair's emptiness reflects the person's absence.

Artist Mike Yorke hopes his work, called Empty Chairs, which is on display at St Mary's Church, Nantwich, until 12 November, makes people think not only of those who died in conflicts, but also of their own losses, adding: "Their own empty chairs, which we've all got."

The 63-year-old added: "It makes me feel quite emotional and proud of what I have achieved with them and I must thank the people of Nantwich who have allowed me to do it."

Yorke was first struck by the significance of empty chairs when his father died of cancer in 2007.

He constructed a chair in his memory, inspired by his father's love of the Vincent van Gogh painting, Van Gogh's Chair.

Yorke went on to create miniature chairs to represent British soldiers who died in Afghanistan, adding to the installation as the numbers of fallen rose.

That memorial work was displayed at a number of venues across the Midlands more than a decade ago.

After taking time away from the project, Yorke decided to revive it in the town he considers home, with the focus changing from the Afghanistan conflict to world wars.

In Nantwich, at the reverend's suggestion, all the chairs face towards the altar as opposed to the congregation to make it more poignant, said Yorke, who added that he felt very privileged to have his art back on display.

"I want people to see my work as caring work, as thoughtful, although it's very simple, that's the way I like to work," he said.

Gill Bolton said she felt compelled to see the art installation as one of the chairs represents a member of her family.

"Chair number 154 is for my uncle Robert who was killed in the first World War, aged but 19."

Bolton was "absolutely thrilled" that Yorke had brought the display to Nantwich, and said it was in such a "beautiful setting" at the altar.

"It really moves me tremendously to think that every chair represents one of the fallen, including my own flesh and blood."

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