Honouring Remembrance Day 2024: A Symbolic Tribute in Denim

As Remembrance Day 2024 approaches, we pause honouring courage, sacrifices, and lives that shape our world today. This year, I’ve created a painting that is both a personal tribute and a shared symbol, capturing the essence of Remembrance Day through a close-up image of a denim jacket pocket—a canvas that speaks to the every human, worn by everyday people. On one corner of the pocket rests a small red poppy, Canada’s enduring symbol of remembrance, and beside it, three tiny buttons painted in red: one marked with a peace sign, another with a heart for love, and the last with a maple leaf for Canada. Each icon tells its own story, yet together they form a message of hope, solidarity, and unity.

The denim or jean jacket has its own quiet, resilient symbolism. Where uniforms of war can signal a particular allegiance, denim is a common thread, a fabric of the everyday that wraps around us all, a universal garment. Whether for work, comfort, or expression, denim has become the uniform of the “every human”—a piece of clothing that connects people across borders, standing as a testament to resilience, durability, and familiarity. With this piece, I wanted to evoke that sense of shared experience and connection, making the denim jacket not just a piece of attire but a statement of common ground among us all.

The poppy pin holds its place in the composition with reverence, bringing to mind the countless stories of bravery and sacrifice that mark Canada’s history. Its red hue, striking and solemn, is a reminder to reflect not only on past conflicts but also on the ongoing wish for peace worldwide. The three red buttons add a quieter yet equally potent voice to the painting. The peace sign is a prayer for calm and understanding among all people, the heart an emblem of love and compassion, and the maple leaf a tribute to Canada’s ideals, values, and commitment to peacekeeping.

This painting is not only about remembering those who served but also about honoring the enduring desire for a world where we are all connected in humanity. It’s a small reminder of the importance of praying for each other, even for those we may never meet, and holding in our hearts the hope for a better future, especially in uncertain times.

This Remembrance Day, may we all take a moment to acknowledge our shared humanity, to remember those who have come before us, and to embrace the collective aspiration for peace. Whether we wear a jacket or a uniform, a poppy on our lapel, or simply a memory in our hearts, we are bound by our shared stories, dreams, and hopes for a brighter, more peaceful tomorrow.

See more photos of the painting and purchase here.

See 10 paintings about Remembrance Day here.