21 May – 16 June 2015
Tues to Sat 2pm to 5pm
Free
An exhibition of abstract ceramic sculptures is on display in Birkenhead to honour local shipbuilders. As the Mersey welcomes three great Cunard liners, the work of local artist Jean Maskell recalls the areas shipbuilding heritage.
“Building a ship is highly skilled work. There has always been a great pride and interest in the many great ships that have been launched here. My inspiration comes from the stories I heard from shipyard workers in my own family, and the Cunard White Star liner Mauritania, launched by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead in 1938.”
RMS Mauretania was the largest ship ever built in an English shipyard at that time at over 35.000 tons. She was utilised as a troop ship during the war and returned to Atlantic crossings and cruising until 1965. This was the last Cunard ship to be built locally (previously Cammell Laird had built the Cephalonia, launched 1882 and the Samaria, launched 1920, for Cunard).
The World famous Cammell Laird shipyard successfully continues today as an important company in ship building, repair and maritime projects.
28 Argyle Street, Birkenhead, Merseyside. CH41 6AE • 07903 337 995 • info@rathbonestudio.com