Flotilla - fantasy craft with Dissability Arts In Surrey
In 2018 I was the lead artist in a project to create fantasy vehicles. I had a wonderful time working with members of DAISY (Dissability Arts In Surrey) to build a Flotilla of 64 craft.
Inspiration came from an exhibition of wooden ships and objects made by James Henry Pullen at Watts Gallery in Compton, where our initial workshops took place. The completed Flotilla was exhibited at the Lightbox Gallery in Woking.
James Henry Pullen (1835 - 1916) was an inmate at Earlswood Asylum in Reigate where he spent most of his life. Known as the 'idiot savant' he was a consumate woodworker. He was patronised by Prince Edward, had one of his model ships - The Great Eastern - exhibited at the Great Exhibition and made beautiful models and drawings of both practical and fantasy ships.
For further information about J.H. Pullen see - Colin Hambrook's Blog.
I was struck by the simple realisation that he made vehicles to perform tasks that he would wish to see, and this idea - to create a fantasy craft to do something you cannot, something important - underpinned the project.
None of these models were made by me.
The selection of craft shown in this gallery were made by members of DAISY.