Exhibition, preservation and recreation of boats, waterside and maritime occupations of the 17c, through the works of J.M.W. Turner and his contemporaries.
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About Boats in Art relates small boats of interest to their artistic connections, the skills, materials involved in their construction and the type of work and crafts of those that built or used them.
The concept for Boats in Art is an accumulation of projects and restorations of working boats of South West Britain, natural fibre growing and textile production with an emphasis on maritime and inland waterways heritage, along with the exhibition and education work by Simon & Ann Cooper over the last 40 years.
The aim of Boats in Art is to increase awareness of boats of interest for future preservation, introduce art and history to the populace as a whole in and outdoor setting as a form of living history. To relate activities and waterside employment of former years to the present day with a return to the use of natural materials, care for the environment, a closer relationship with nature and outdoor activities.
Participate We are keen to add boats of interest,old and new, to build a directory of boats which are available to be seen at events or exhibitions. Also to add works of present day artists Please contact us if you would like to join this website.
Making artistic connections most of the images we use are copied from our own collection of engraved prints from the 1800's other works will be credited to the owner or holder of the copy write with their permission.
About, us shows and event information
& our plans to recreate sailcloth and artist canvas of the 17c
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We particularly excited about Boats in Art as it encompasses many of our interests and endeavors, building fabric covered boats, preserving maritime and waterways heritage, using and exhibiting traditional boats, along with love of the arts - how the traditional skills and employments of people are depicted by artists of the past. This is a timely project with the need to encourage more outdoor activities a return to using natural materials, taking care of our land and seas, the use of locally grown and made goods, in effect looking to the images of the past as an inspiration to a sustainable future.
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We are no strangers to working and growing with traditional materials in 2008 we set up "Flaxland" ( www.flaxland.co.uk) to grow and make cloth, twines and ropes, this is based on our desire for a strong home grown cloth to cover the wooden frames of the canoes, coracles and curraghs we build.
At that time flax was an almost forgotten crop in Britain, since the demise our flax/linen industry in the 1980's flax for fibre has only be grown on a very small scale or as part of research projects. For us, producing cloth was a steep learning curve however we managed to produce both woven and knitted clothing within 18 months of planting our first crop.
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Since that time we have grown flax every year gaining more experience, educating and demonstrating how flax lives up to the translation of its Latin name "Linum usitatissimum” line most useful. We now supplying growers, individuals and community based projects with seeds tools and training enabling them to set up their own textile based projects with social and environmental benefits derived from producing an artisan product and outdoor activities. At the same time we have become involved with the new uses of flax fibre in industry with both students and tutors attending our courses and also the supply of fibre for technical studies.
Whereas at one time we were one of few, we are now one of many growing and striving to re establish flax production to these isles both on an artisan basis and as a viable business model. With around six funded projects growing flax in 2021 along with many self- funded growers such as ourselves, sowing seeds in gardens, tubs, allotments and smallholdings the future of producing home grown plant based textiles is looking brighter. We are delighted to have assisted, supplied and catalysed many of these growers.
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The techniques and tools we use to create cloth are all based on 16th 17th C pre industrial revolution methods. Fibres are hand processed and spun, loom widths are narrow to allow cloth required for sails and artist fabrics to be woven tightly by hand. We are now spinning fibre to set up on a floor loom at our studio in Stroud and this will become an addition to our workshops experiences.
We also intend to compliment future Boats in Art exhibits at a range of venues with active demonstrations on fibre production of past times and now flax will transcend time for the future good.
This exhibit is of high educational value and visual appeal suitable for multiple locations and is fully inclusive covering a diverse range of interests. We have a list of established and prestigious venues built-up over the last 30 years which we attend annually with funding, in part, coming direct from the events themselves.
To enhance the visitor experience at an event, and develop the Boats in Art combined with the flaxland as a travelling exhibit we are keen to work with show, festival and event organisers to add additional locations to our event calendar. Simon & Ann Cooper
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