SHIPMATES
'Which deep sea Saint whispered this keel
out of its element.'
Living in Cornwall it is difficult to escape the sea. And nowhere is this more true than on the Land's End peninsula, where the sea is on every horizon. Fifty years after Wallis’s death, Morris Dale became the latest in a long line of primitive artists to be inspired by the sea, like Alfred Wallis creating things 'what used to be' from found materials. Sculpted from timber reclaimed from decommissioned Newlyn fishing boats, the wood dictates the shape of the final work, but always at the captain's command.
Shipmates creations
From W.S. Graham's poem: The Thermal Star
'His job is Love
Imagined into words or paint to make
An object that will stand and will not move'
Inspired by the artistic style of Alfred Wallis, each handmade boat supports sustainable practices.
The craft
The story
Peter Mates is a skilled artisan living in Cornwall. He transformed decommissioned fishing boats into stunning works of art, drawing inspiration from the renowned artist Alfred Wallis. With a deep respect for the sea and its history, Peter meticulously repurposed the wood and materials from these boats, using each piece with a sense of nostalgia and craftsmanship. His creations reflect the rugged beauty of the Cornish coastline, showcasing both the practical and artistic of what might otherwise be discarded. Through this unique process, he not only honours the legacy of Wallis but also breathes new life into the boats themselves.
