Ships in the Night IV. 51 x 59 cms. £350 (edition of 25).

Ships in the Night IV. 51 x 59 cms. Linocut print.

Gledhill states; “The Ships images are intended to represent the anticipation and joy of setting out on a journey and the romance of travel but also the way each one ploughs their own furrow symbolizing personal isolation.”

A large dark ship forges a course towards the viewer, tipping the edge of the canvas, tall and majestic, stretching back, flanked in the distance with smaller ships which are coursing dangerously near.

Rich reds, yellows greens and blues add optimism and joie de vivre to the scene. Chaotic movement on sea together with a sense of dignity, power and purpose is evoked from Gledhill’s Ship themed works.

The words from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem which inspired Gledhill’s Ships draw forth other responses to the image.

“ Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the darkness”