Panel Four - World War I

The sun has already set, and there’s an oil lamp lit. Smoke is rising above the helmet of a British Expeditionary Force soldier. This is a moment of leisure, of peace and quiet. The scene gives an inside view to the trenches of the war. Miriam-Webster defines “the trenches” as a place or situation in which people do very difficult work. Trenches are dirty, nasty places by nature because that’s where soldiers lived, slept, fought, and died. The artists created this panel to be interactive as well. 

Viewers should feel as though they’re part of the conflict, like they are in the trenches with the soldiers. It’s a chaotic scene because there is a lot going on. It’s a snapshot of the living conditions in the trenches. There are cups, cigarettes, knives, and everyday living things lying around. Rifles are stacked around. There’s a ladder leading to a lookout over the wall of sandbags, and signs telling soldiers to keep their heads down. There are American soldiers mixed with British soldiers, but the subtle differences in uniform colors set them apart. 

Notice that this is the second panel with the book. It can be inferred that the American soldier is reading and talking to the British soldiers about a message of hope. Again, the pages of this book are blank, so it can be whatever the viewer wants it to be. Ironically enough, this is a panel of hope with a message of positivity. It’s a time of peace even amid the trenches. It signifies that, no matter what, life goes on, and while we’re still alive and breathing, we need to choose to do what’s important and eternally significant. 

Special Artist Credit

Shae Rider did the faces. 

Insider Information

Robert wasn’t happy with this panel when it was unveiled, so he later updated all the uniforms and repainted the ground to make it look more like mud. Initially, the ground looked like a red velvet carpet! Additionally, painting this post-storm sunset was the first blending of colors for Robert. The sunset turned out very well and was one aspect of this panel that didn’t have to be repainted.