Ship's painters series III
Artist
Robert Wade
Date1985
Object number00039806
NamePainting
MediumWatercolours, paper, wood
DimensionsOverall: 340 × 1200 × 15 mm
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Maersk Australia Pty Ltd
DescriptionA framed watercolour painting depicting the container ship ACT 4 being painted by seamen on scaffolds over the side.
Taken from an original sketch by Robert Wade drawn in April 1980 at Circular Quay, Sydney.
This work was entered in the 1985 ACTA Maritime Art Award.HistoryACT 4 was built for Blue Star Line Ltd., Port Line Ltd. & Ellerman Lines Ltd in 1971 by Bremer Vulkan Schiffbau und Machinenfabrik in Germany. It was transferred in 1992 to Blue Star Line Ltd and renamed MELBOURNE STAR 3. In 1998 the ship was sold to P&O Nedlloyd and retained its name.
MELBOURNE STAR was broken up in 2003.
Robert Wade is an internationally renowned watercolour artist and on Australia Day, 2003 received the “Medal of the Order of Australia” for his promotion of Australian art and art educator.
Significance"Our ports and harbours are no longer a part of our teeming inner city industrial scene. With the establishment of container terminals outside city limits we have lost a certain romantic aspect of sea-going life. It is this changing scene we want to help record for all times. We would like Australian artists to revive what was once a major subject for
their art, the Australian ports, harbours, ships and people."
Mr Christopher Cullen
Managing Director, ACTA Shipping
1985 ACTA Maritime Art Award
