Blacksmiths from Herefordshire College of Technology are taking part in a worldwide project to honour the victims of the unimaginable violence in Oslo in July 2011. Founded by Artist Blacksmiths, Tone Mørk Karlsrud and Tobbe Malm, the project came to the College after one of the course’s Norwegian students, Sigbjoern Lundesgaard did his work experience with Tone during his holidays.The project launched an international appeal to blacksmiths to show their support and compassion to victims of the tragedy and people of Norway by making roses made from iron. In the days that followed the July atrocity, the streets of Oslo were covered with roses as people mourned the loss of life. Some 150,000 people carried roses when they took part in a march in Oslo three days after the killings to show their solidarity with those who died.
Sigbjoern commented, “There is quite a strong community amongst blacksmiths around the world and when I mentioned it to our tutor he thought it was a great idea to be involved. The roses were interesting to make and we know that some of the victim’s families have been making them as well. The idea behind the project is for people to reflect on the feelings of solidarity after the tragedy and I think that is really important.”Course Tutor, Chris Blythman commented, “Tone is an ex-student of ours and when we heard she was creating this sculpture we were eager to contribute, especially as we have such an international cohort of students many of whom are the same age of those who died. The thirty-one roses the group have made are beautiful; each one unique and very much reflecting its maker. Each series of petals was profile-cut, shaped to fit a forged stem then finished with a gas torch. A big thanks to Hereford-based company, Elmbridge who did our profile-cutting for the project.”Now completed, the thirty-one roses will become part of some 500 roses that will be used to create the permanent memorial to those who died. In recent press, Tone commented, “The monument will consist of a globe which symbolises the global support that people around the world gave to Norway and it will also show the sculpture has been made with help and love from blacksmiths all over the world."
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