Nautical Odysseys

16th January 2010

Categories: Middlesbrough Arts

The work of David Bell, one of the UK’s leading maritime artists is the subject of the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum’s first temporary exhibition of 2010.

Following the publication of two books (‘Britain’s Maritime History’ and ‘A Coastal Passage’) David is about to publish his third book “A Nautical Odyssey: An Illustrated Maritime History from Cook to Shackleton.” This latest book contains many of his finely illustrated collection of paintings and drawings.

The exhibition features over thirty of the works included in this new book, mainly those paintings showing the ships of Captain Cook, Vancouver, Bligh, Admiral Nelson and the majestic clipper ships of the 19th and early 20 centuries. All of these are executed with great technical skill as well as imagination and vision to produce evocative and atmospheric pieces.

The exhibition will run until 11th April 2010 and all of the works are for sale - these range from limited edition prints from £28 to large framed original watercolours costing £4500.

Born in Lincolnshire in 1950, David served as a navigator in the Merchant Navy for nine years and sailed the world’s oceans. In a change of career he gained a BA Honours degree at Hull College of Art and since then has been working as an artist from his studio in Lincoln.

He paints many subjects, including railway, architecture and aviation, but is primarily known as a marine artist, most notably for the Sir Walter Raleigh painting for the Prince of Wales and Humber Heritage, now in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen. He has also worked in the Falklands for the Armed Forces, producing a number of commemorative paintings.

David’s book “A Nautical Odyssey” is due to be published in early March 2010 and the book launch will be at Middlesbrough’s Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Marton.

Exhibition information

A Nautical Odyssey: Maritime Paintings by David Bell is on view 16 January - 11 April 2010. There is no entry charge to the exhibition, which is open from 9am to 4pm from Tuesday to Sunday until February 16 and from 10am to 5.30pm thereafter.

Getting to the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum

The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum is located in Marton in Stewart Park. The postcode is: TS7 8AT.

Access information for the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum

The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum has 2 lifts that allow for wheelchair and pram access to every floor in the museum.

There is an orange disabled badge holder’s parking bay at the front of the museum. Access to this car park is via The Grove entrance to Stewart Park.

A wheelchair is available for use by visitors. Prior notice is preferred.

A disabled toilet is located on the ground floor.

Download: 2010 Brochure for Captain Cook Birthplace Museum

Captain Cook Birthplace Museum 2010 Brochure

In addition to discovering homegrown hero Captain James Cook with the amazing permanent exhibitions at the museum, located in beautiful Stewart Park, enjoy this year's temporary exhibitions - A Nautical Odyssey: Maritime Paintings by David Bell; One Man's Journey: Mackenzie Thorpe on Cook, Middlesbrough & Australia; Smoke Near the Beach: Cooks Encounter with Australia's Aboriginals 1770.

Further Afield

If you're inspired by this maritime artwork, don't forget Tall Ships are coming to our neighbours Hartlepool. Tall Ships is taking place 7-10 August 2010. More information »

Useful links

Captain Cook Birthplace Museum

Hartlepool Tall Ships 2010

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