CROWD - The big sails - a portrait of the City

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This set of enormous drawings are inspired as a hand drawn portrait of the city. Portsmouth that still holds claim to be one of the most densely populated in Europe, hence the first drawing is called CROWD. The rich and multi cultural history of this maritime city will be depicted in two epic charcoal drawings with ~1500 characters included spanning 2000 years of Portsea Island. 

The first is a life size replica of the HMS Victory spritsail which is 17m x 10m ( the one from the very front of the ship). The second is a smaller set of Main Sails from Mary Rose which are 12m x 8m and 8x 4m. These have been carefully researched to be as realistic as possible to the 16th and 18th century sails. The drawings are done direct and free hand in charcoal and sealed into the heavy duty cotton canvas.

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They are covered in portraits of people with a connection to the Dockyard, be it naval, military, dockyard worker or community connection to the city and its history. It reflects the contemporary demographic to create a 'motley crew' for these ships. It is a massive and ambitious 3 year project and there is as much art in getting it funded and made as there is creating the drawings. There have been some delays with Lock Down issues, funding and location logistics, but this has only added to the outreach and community awareness of the artwork and given time for more people to get involved.

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The project is funded by a mixture of Crowdfunding, local Authority grants, local business sponsorship, donations and philanthropy. Arts Council England have helped me to reach deeper into the community for participation, working with the youth groups and young people educational support. The studio space is generously funded in kind by Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust. 

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Studio Visits by request or appointment. Message/email me direct or by phone 07503105655

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Be sure to follow the work in progress on the dedicated Instagram page: