Mural of Working Boats from around the British Coast

Brightly coloured mural including ships, sailors, mermaids, sea life and seagulls.
© National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. 

About

In 1951, the government organised a festival to lift British people’s spirits after World War II and give them a sense of pride in what Britain was achieving; the rebuilding of towns and cities and recovering industries and arts.

Towns across Britain held festivals, funfairs, parades, competitions, industrial presentations and much more!

For those living in one of Britain’s sea ports, or lucky enough to be visiting in the summer of 1951, they might have seen a floating display like this, depicting workers and myths of the sea which toured the island.

Things to think about:

  • This mural represents life at sea. What would a mural look like which represented life at your school, after school club or with your family?
  • Can you talk about any festivals you have taken part in?
  • Why do we put on and enjoy festivals?

Museum's description

This is one panel of a mural, made of five panels, was originally made for the decoration of a floating display space which toured British ports as part of the Festival of Britain in 1951. The Festival had been organized to promote British arts, sciences and industries after the Second World War. The festival included lots of ships because of their importance to British life. Aboard small coastal craft, fishermen are seen in the company of cats, dogs, sheep and cows. There is also a shark, tagged ‘O.H.M.S. Please return to the Indian Ocean’ drinking tea and holding an umbrella.

Teacher notes

The full mural is a celebration of British trade designed to boost moral after the Second World War. It could be used to discuss life after war as well as conditions for British people during the war.

The full mural can be seen on the National Maritime Museums Collections website here.

We are very lucky to have this amateur film from the East Anglian Film Archive giving a taste of what it must have been like to be on the South Bank during the festival in 1951. Maker: Harold William Jones.

Date

1951

Artist

Sorrell, Alan

More details

Place: England

Medium: Oil paint on panels

 

From

National Maritime Museum - Royal Museums Greenwich