The Children of Calais

A life-sized sculpture of six contemporary children in poses echoing The Burghers of Calais by Rodin. The piece is designed to provoke debate about the inhumanity of our response to the children caught up in the current refugee crisis.

The Burghers of Calais marked the siege of Calais in 1347. The English King offered to spare the city only if six of its burghers would surrender themselves. Although they expected to be executed, the burghers lives were spared by the intervention of the Queen.