 The
National Waterways Museum's 'Boat Decoration'
gallery!
Something colourful has happened at The National Waterways Museum, Gloucester
Docks. An amazing new gallery
dedicated to 'Boat Decoration' tells a unique and fascinating story previously never
told all in one place. It contains
the largest number and finest examples of decorated canal
objects, by the widest range of canal artists, ever
gathered together.
From the famous
narrowboat 'Roses & Castles', at last given a proper
art gallery of their own, to the regional colours of
Humber Keels, Mersey Flats and Thames Barges, offering a wider picture
still, of Britain’s surviving popular arts. As well
as inland waterways the sea has a small section, where
the carving and use of colour on figureheads, shows the
magic of decoration, keeping sailors safe on stormy seas.
 Take the opportunity to sit
in the gallery and watch on video the painting
techniques. At seemingly magical speed, the professional
canal artist creates a profusion of painted flowers and
enigmatic landscapes, cherished by generations of boat
families. This amazing tradition transforms a plain
painted cabin.
 Use the
interactive video screens within the exhibition to create
your own 'Painted Boats'. Choosing the company colours,
arranging traditional decorative designs and lettering to
suit your own taste. Read about the craft and the people
who carried it out.
History and
mystery, Victorian popular art to ancient ship mythology,
the mad canal mixtures of crochet lace with coal dust. No
one can say exactly when or where the style came from, or
why it has lasted so long. Items on display from the
National Collection show the broad range of painting
styles from the naive work of the boatmen to the skill of
the professional artist/craftsmen.
Many of the
graphics include special hand painted features by Roses
and Castles expert, Tony Lewery. He also advised on the
project and worked with Museum staff to produce this
burst of colour.
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