Installed in Trafalgar Square on 20th January 2007 for a ceremony to honour ex-servicemen filmed by the BBC, James Napier's sculpture has been adopted as the figurehead for a campaign to highlight the plight of 'abandoned' ex-servicemen and to rally support awareness and funds for improved treatment and recognition.

The sculpture, which took James Napier four months to make from initial conception to its installation in Trafalgar Square, is a powerful reflection on the conflict between human dignity and suffering.  James explains, ‘The sculpture attempts to represent a soldier broken mentally and physically from the effects of combat. Through his emotion of despair and sadness I wanted to reveal his strength and dignity.'  

A documentary following ‘The Abandoned Soldier’ from its conception to the powerful rallying point it now occupies in the campaign was screened on BBC2, Monday 21st May as part of the BBC's 'Power to the People' series.

"To honour those who have valiantly fought for our country but are not being treated as the heroes they truly are." 

View Portfolio