| The P&O Cruise ship Ventura was
launched on 16th April 2008 by Dame Helen Mirren. The 115,000-tonne ship can carry 3.600 passenger and will be staffed by 1,200 crew. It is 290m (317yds) in length, which makes it longer than Tower Bridge and has 15 passenger decks. There are twelve bars and lounges, five shops, five swimming pools, a 3D cinema, a Marco Pierre-White restaurant, rock-climbing facilities, a theatre as well as a library and casino. |
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Ventura's first season will be spent in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and the Baltic before the ship sails for the Caribbean in October for its winter season.
In all there are about 7,000 pieces of modern art onboard. To achieve this P&O joined with Tate Modern and also had works specifically commissioned for the ship.
| Some of Johns earlier paintings were used in the pre launch publicity and are on show in the Bay Tree Restaurant, which is the largest of Ventura's main dining rooms and the Beach House, Ventura's family dining venue as well as the Gallery. |
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The commissioned paintings were for the waterside Restaurant which is the Ventura's main food court and is styled around a New England Theme. In a recent interview for a magazine article about the paintings he had done for the Ventura Commission John said
"The coastline of S.W France has continued to hold a fascination for me. The vast Gironde estuary stretches out to the wild Atlantic coast, on its way providing a safe haven for small fishing boats, sustaining a way of life which enables communities to thrive alongside the modern port of Bordeaux. Part sheltered, part exposed around its NW point, Isle D’Oleron provide the source of inspiration for these paintings. Oyster boats harbour in the port, small fishing huts nestle alongside the inner harbour waterways, intense sunlight reflected into deep and shallow water takes the bright colours transferring them out of the ordinary."
The images below show some of the paintings that made up the commission. These are large works with the smallest painting measuring 180cm x 200cm and the largest 180 cm x 400cm
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The waterside commission has been the basis and inspiration for a series of another nine works which will be shown for the first time at the Galerie4 Saisons , St Aulaye 24410, Dordogne on Saturday 3rd May 2008. For further details please contact Suzie Blackman on 0033 (0)5 53 90 54 60 or email galarie4saisons@hotmail.com
For further details and information about Ventura cruises visit the Ventura website
