Resonance and Renewal - Shipbuilding on the Clyde at The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Opening to the public on 24 July in the heart of The Historic Dockyard Chatham, No. 1 Smithery: National Treasures Inspiring Culture reveals, for the first time under one roof, a collection of our nation's world class maritime treasures, art and objects and combines museum galleries with a programme of visual art and related activities.

The launch exhibition - Resonance and Renewal - Shipbuilding on the Clyde - features Stanley Spencer’s evocative series of paintings on loan from, and recently restored by, the Imperial War Museum. It runs from July 24 – December 12 and is a rare opportunity to view all eight paintings together as they were intended to be seen. It will also have an associated family activity area and trail where visitors can see the world through Spencer’s eyes and create their own masterpieces.

Exhibition curator is Stephen Turner – a visual artist with an international reputation based at The Historic Dockyard since 1996 who, like Spencer, has a great affection for the connections between people and place.

Turner says of the exhibition: “All eight of Spencer’s paintings - originally commissioned by the War Artists’ Advisory Committee - and more than 20 associated drawings borrowed from the Imperial War Museum form the core of the show and reveal the depth of Spencer’s study of the life of Lithgow’s Shipyard in Port Glasgow during the Second World War.”

Turner adds an interesting footnote to the exhibition. Fifteen per cent of the Clyde workers were women who were brought in to do essential work such as welding and operating heavy machinery when male workers were called up to fight in the war. Spencer didn’t paint them but he did draw them - possibly after the paintings were completed.

key

Prices

Entry fee to the Historic Dockyard applies

Event details

Nearby

• Attractions
• Events
• Places to visit
• Hotels and B&Bs
• Self-Catering Places
• Camping & touring