After a year in Coventry Cathedral, my five sculptural panels entitled ‘Where Their Footsteps Left No Trace’ which highlight our ability to turn the most awesome developments in science and technology into the means of destroying places and innocent people, are now installed in St Peter’s Church near Ground Zero, New York.
On July 30th I attended a reception there at which they were blessed by the church pastor, Father Madigan and dedicated by me to Father Mychal Judge a chaplain to the New York Fire Service, Rick Rescorla a Cornish born security officer in the South Tower who saved the lives of over 2700 people before losing his own and to the 9/11 First Responders including the 343 firefighters who were killed that day.
Rick Rescorla’s widow Susan addressed the 130 gathered in the church praising the First Responders and speaking of the profound effect of first seeing my panels in Coventry. I spoke of the origins of my project drawing parallels between the resilience of New Yorkers ten years ago and that of my parents generation during the Blitz of 1940.
Since making the 9/11 panel I have made many friends among those whose lives were changed forever that day and, as such, feel able to share their tragedy. I therefore decided, as a token of sympathy and friendship, to gift the 9/11 panel to the people of New York City. This was warmly welcomed by those present
Before and after the ceremony the pipes and drums of the FDNY Emerald Society played on the steps of St Peter’s at the foot of which a beautifully restored vintage fire engine was stationed. Known as ‘Engine 343 “ it is dedicated to the firefighters lost on 9/11.
The local press and television were present as was the London Times. Susan Rescorla and I gave several interviews and were photographed many times with the panels and people from all sections of the community.
Finally, preceded by ‘Fire Riders’ on their Harley Davidsons and with much cheering and waving, Susan and I were driven a short distance through New York streets aboard ‘Engine 343’ for refreshments at an Irish pub.
