"In Homer’s Odyssey, Argos was the faithful dog of Odysseus who ended up neglected after Odysseus, his master, was presumed dead after being gone for twenty years. Odysseus returns to Ithaca to find his dog lying in piles of manure, immobile from old age and neglect, and starving. Argos on seeing Odysseus, immediately recognises him, lifting his head and wagging his tail. Disguised, Odysseus cannot greet his dog without revealing his identity. So he turns away. As he leaves, Argos drops his head and gently expires.

I have chosen to celebrate Argos, reimagined as a beloved, British ceramic dog, one often found as a pair on either end of mantlepieces in many households, standing guard and protecting the home. Here they are surrounded by poppies and peonies: symbols for love, faithfulness and death. Argos, seen to the right, seems to be pleading for forgiveness."

- Morwenna Morrison