Memory in Bronze

Born on December 30, 1925, Meisler's early life was profoundly impacted by the events of World War II. In August 1939 Meisler was a frightened 13 year old Jewish boy who was no longer safe in his home town, the Free City of Danzig (now Gdańsk in Poland), a German enclave which had embraced Nazism. There had been anti-Jewish riots and the city’s Great Synagogue had been demolished during Kristallnacht. Meisler became one of the 10,000 fortunate children From Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia who were chosen for part of the rescue mission to the United Kingdom that became known as the Kindertransport. Three days after he left, Meisler’s  parents were arrested, taken to the Warsaw Ghetto and then later murdered. The railway station at Danzig was the start of a train journey which would take Frank, along with 14 other Jewish children, from their home town to Friedrichstraße station in the heart of Nazi Germany, Berlin.  From there they would journey through Germany and on to the Hoek of Holland  (the port city of Rotterdam) and onto a boat to freedom in England where another train would take them to London’s Liverpool Street Station, and their new life would begin. Frank Meisler’s escape wasn’t a moment too soon.  Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, and Britain and France declared war against the Nazi state two days later.   Meisler was raised by an aunt, who lived in London. He attended Harrow and studied architecture at the University of Manchester. After finishing his national service with the RAF, he began his career as an architect, helping to construct Heathrow Airport. In 1956, he emigrated to Israel, settling in the Old City of Jaffa, where he established a workshop and gallery. He spent the rest of his career there - and where his art flourished until his death in 2018.    

Meisler's artistic legacy includes several significant public sculptures. Notably, he created a series of Kindertransport memorials situated in cities such as London, Berlin, Gdańsk, and Hamburg, commemorating the rescue of Jewish children during the Holocaust. His work is characterized by kinetic elements, intricate craftsmanship, and a deep sense of movement and revelation. The sculptures are situated at key points along the Kindertransport route. Five major installations form a kind of commemorative journey: 

In contrast, the other group, a young boy and girl, are striding forward, towards the west to the Netherlands, England and safety. They carry their belongings, a suitcase and a teddy bear. They have been cast in a brighter bronze. And while they do not look joyful as children should, their facial expressions and general demeanor is quite different to that of the other group.  They represent approximately 10,000 Jewish children whose lives were saved by the Kindertransport to England on ”trains to life.” The sculpture stands as a testament to the resilience of those who survived and a somber reminder of the lives lost during this dark chapter in history. This stark contrast underscores the duality of fate experienced by children during the Holocaust. 

In 2011, Channel Crossing to Life was unveiled at the Hook of Holland in the Netherlands. This sculpture commemorates the children who traveled through the Netherlands to reach England via the Hoek van Holland–Harwich ferries. 

The final piece in the series The Final Parting was erected in 2015 outside the Dammtor railway station in Hamburg. This sculpture depicts the poignant moment of children parting from their families, many for the last time, highlighting the emotional and physical separation endured during the Kindertransport. 

Meisler’s sculptures are deeply symbolic. Luggage is a recurring motif—representing the literal and emotional baggage carried by children torn from their families. The figures’ expressions are often deliberately subdued, emphasizing stoicism over sentimentality. This artistic choice mirrors the emotional numbness many survivors report feeling during the dislocation. In doing so, Meisler resists romanticizing the rescue and instead underscores the human cost and psychological scars that remained. 

Through these memorials, Frank Meisler not only honored the memory of those who were part of the Kindertransport but also educated future generations about this critical chapter in history. His sculptures stand as enduring testaments to resilience, remembrance, and the enduring impact of compassionate action in times of crisis. Meisler’s installations have become important cultural and educational tools. Their placement in public spaces ensures that they are encountered by diverse audiences—commuters, tourists, school groups—many of whom may not be familiar with the Kindertransport. They prompt reflection on contemporary issues such as child refugees, forced migration, and moral responsibility. In today’s world, where global refugee crises persist, Meisler’s sculptures challenge us to consider the ethical imperative to protect vulnerable children.