Gordon Frickers
Encyclopedia
Gordon Frickers is a marine artist
based in Plymouth
, Devon
, but also paints in France
. Frickers was the first marine artist to be exhibited at the European Parliament
in Brussels
in May 2011.
In addition to being an artist, Frickers is also a master shipwright
and marine and art historian. At one time he was managing director of Southeast Boat Building.
Some of Frickers work has been reproduced as limited edition prints
Frickers' wine villages of France paintings have been exhibited at Gallerie Marin in Appledore, north Devon.
Frickers appeared in the 2010 TV documentary series, The Boats that Built Britain
.
Marine art
Marine art or maritime art is any form of figurative art that portrays or draws its main inspiration from the sea. Maritime painting is a genre that depicts ships and the sea—a genre particularly strong from the 17th to 19th centuries...
based in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, but also paints in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Frickers was the first marine artist to be exhibited at the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
in May 2011.
Education and Experience
- Maidstone College of Fine Art (later part of Kent Institute of Art & DesignKent Institute of Art & DesignThe Kent Institute of Art & Design was an art school based across three campuses in the county of Kent, in the United Kingdom. It was formed by the amalgamation of three independent colleges: Canterbury College of Art, Maidstone College of Art and Rochester College of Art...
and now part of University for the Creative Arts) and Medway College : Visual Communication, Photography for advertising & media - Falmouth Technical College : Ship & Boat Building;
- Montmiral School of Painting (South West France)
- Plymouth College of Further Education (now City College PlymouthCity College PlymouthCity College Plymouth is a tertiary institution and further education college in South West England having two main sites: the Goschen Centre in Keyham and the Kings Road Centre in Devonport, both in Plymouth, Devon. The Kings Road Centre is built on the site of the former Devonport Kings Road...
) : Internet, E business, web design
In addition to being an artist, Frickers is also a master shipwright
Shipbuilding
Shipbuilding is the construction of ships and floating vessels. It normally takes place in a specialized facility known as a shipyard. Shipbuilders, also called shipwrights, follow a specialized occupation that traces its roots to before recorded history.Shipbuilding and ship repairs, both...
and marine and art historian. At one time he was managing director of Southeast Boat Building.
Awards and Memberships
- Four times chosen Yachting WorldYachting WorldYachting World is a monthly English language magazine published since 1894. Owned by IPC Media, it features articles on sailing and yachting....
/Rolex-Swan prize artist - Member of the British Marine Federation
- Member of SuperyachtUK
Works
Works and series by Frickers include:- "I have urgent dispatches" which depicts the schooner HMS PickleHMS Pickle (1800)HMS Pickle was a topsail schooner of the Royal Navy. She was originally a civilian vessel named Sting. of six guns, that Lord Hugh Seymour purchased to use as an armed tender on the Jamaica Station...
conveying news of the death of Nelson and victory at TrafalgarBattle of TrafalgarThe Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars .... - "Trafalgar Dawn", the view from HMS VictoryHMS VictoryHMS Victory is a 104-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, laid down in 1759 and launched in 1765. She is most famous as Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805....
at 6:05 am on the morning of 21 October 1805 - "Trafalgar Dawn, the French Perspective" showing the view Vice-Admiral VilleneuvePierre-Charles VilleneuvePierre-Charles-Jean-Baptiste-Silvestre de Villeneuve was a French naval officer during the Napoleonic Wars. He was in command of the French and Spanish fleets defeated by Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar....
had from his flag-ship Bucentaure just before the battleBattle of TrafalgarThe Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of the French Navy and Spanish Navy, during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars .... - 1994 "Nexus", the Cable ShipCable layerA cable layer or cable ship is a deep-sea vessel designed and used to lay underwater cables for telecommunications, electricity, and such. Cable ships are distinguished by large cable sheaveshttp://atlantic-cable.com/Cableships/Monarch%284%29/ | History of the Atlantic Cable & Undersea...
Nexus commissioned by BT Marine and donated to Coe Metcalf Shipping of Liverpool, who had converted the oil drilling ship Pelican 2 to become CS Nexus - 1991 "Cable Ship Sovereign" commissioned by BT Marine for their boardroom
- "The Port of Chester"
- "Royal Yacht BritanniaHMY Britannia (Royal Cutter Yacht)His Majesty's Yacht Britannia was a gaff-rigged cutter built in 1893 for Commodore Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. She served him and his son, King George V, a long racing career.-Racing career:...
(1893)" - "UgandaSS UgandaSS Uganda was a passenger liner, then cruise ship, hospital ship and troop ship between 1952 and 1986.-Passenger liner:Initially Uganda operated as a passenger/cargo liner of the British-India Steam Navigation Company , between London and East Africa, calling at Gibraltar, Naples, Port Said, Aden,...
entering FalmouthFalmouth, CornwallFalmouth is a town, civil parish and port on the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a total resident population of 21,635.Falmouth is the terminus of the A39, which begins some 200 miles away in Bath, Somerset....
with tugs to lay up after the Falklands warFalklands WarThe Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
" - "Dumra departing Bombay in a rising S.W. monsoon", for Sir Robin Knox-JohnstonRobin Knox-JohnstonSir William Robert Patrick "Robin" Knox-Johnston, CBE, RD and bar is an English sailor. He was the first man to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe and was the second winner of the Jules Verne Trophy . For this he was awarded with Blake the ISAF Yachtsman of the Year award...
to celebrate Sir Robin's earliest times at sea - "CunardCunard LineCunard Line is a British-American owned shipping company based at Carnival House in Southampton, England and operated by Carnival UK. It has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic for over a century...
Express Steamer The MauretaniaRMS Mauretania (1906)RMS Mauretania was an ocean liner designed by Leonard Peskett and built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson at Wallsend, Tyne and Wear for the British Cunard Line, and launched on 20 September 1906. At the time, she was the largest and fastest ship in the world. Mauretania became a favourite among...
" - "Plymouth CattewaterCattewaterThe city of Plymouth, Devon, England is bounded by Dartmoor to the north, the river Tamar to the west. The open expanse of water called Plymouth Sound to the south and the river Plym to the east....
", which shows a clipperClipperA clipper was a very fast sailing ship of the 19th century that had three or more masts and a square rig. They were generally narrow for their length, could carry limited bulk freight, small by later 19th century standards, and had a large total sail area...
loading in the early 1880s before her imminent departure for AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... - "HMS Formidable, SeafiresSupermarine SeafireThe Supermarine Seafire was a naval version of the Supermarine Spitfire specially adapted for operation from aircraft carriers. The name Seafire was arrived at by collapsing the longer name Sea Spitfire.-Origins of the Seafire:...
Returning", painted for a lady whose husband had served as a pilot - "NorwaySS France (1961)SS France was a Compagnie Générale Transatlantique ocean liner, constructed by the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard at Saint-Nazaire, France, and put into service in February 1962...
", the cruise ship, leaving Miami - The voyage of the French explorer Laperouse series
- Historic & Picturesque Wine Villages of BordeauxBordeauxBordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...
series
Some of Frickers work has been reproduced as limited edition prints
Patrons
Frickers patrons and clients include:- The Sail Training Association (now the Tall Ships Youth TrustTall Ships Youth TrustTall Ships Youth Trust is a sail training organisation in the United Kingdom that currently owns and operates a two mast brig, the Stavros S Niarchos, and four 22m/72 ft Challenger class racing yachts....
) - Caledonian MacBrayneCaledonian MacBrayneCaledonian MacBrayne is the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries, and ferry services, between the mainland of Scotland and 22 of the major islands on Scotland's west coast...
- British Telecom (Marine) Ltd.
- Cunard LineCunard LineCunard Line is a British-American owned shipping company based at Carnival House in Southampton, England and operated by Carnival UK. It has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic for over a century...
- Yamaha
- Sir Robin Knox-JohnstonRobin Knox-JohnstonSir William Robert Patrick "Robin" Knox-Johnston, CBE, RD and bar is an English sailor. He was the first man to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe and was the second winner of the Jules Verne Trophy . For this he was awarded with Blake the ISAF Yachtsman of the Year award...
- Maiden G.B. (Tracy EdwardsTracy EdwardsTracy Edwards MBE is a British sailor. In 1989 she skippered the first all-female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, becoming the first woman to receive the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy and was awarded the Order of the British Empire.-Bibliography:Maiden. Simon & Schuster, 13...
) - Blue Arrow America's Cup
- The National TrustNational Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural BeautyThe National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
- Imperial TobaccoImperial TobaccoImperial Tobacco is a global tobacco company headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom. It is the world’s fourth-largest cigarette company measured by market share , and the world's largest producer of cigars, fine-cut tobacco and tobacco papers...
(Award won) - Devonport Management LimitedDevonport Management LimitedDML was the company which owns and manages Devonport Royal Dockyard, the largest dockyard in Western Europe. DML was owned by Babcock International Group who purchased it from previous owners; KBR , Balfour Beatty and The Weir Group ....
- Marine Projects (now known as Princess YachtsPrincess YachtsPrincess Yachts International is a motor yacht manufacturer, french majority owned and based in the city of Plymouth, Devon, England.Founded in Plymouth in 1965 as Marine Projects Ltd, it was bought in 1981 by South African businessman Graham J...
) - Coe Metcalf Shipping Ltd.
- CorumCorum (watchmakers)Corum is a Swiss watchmaker based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Canton of Neuchâtel. Founded in 1955, it makes high-quality and high-price watches, many of which are limited editions and thus especially pricey...
- French Admiral's CupAdmiral's CupThe Admiral's Cup is an international yachting regatta. For many years it was known as the unofficial world championship of offshore racing. The Admiral's Cup regatta was started in 1957 and was normally a biennial event which was competed for between national teams. However the event was not...
Sponsor - Sir Richard BransonRichard BransonSir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
- Henri Lloyd LimitedHenri LloydHenri Lloyd is a British clothing manufacturer established in Manchester, England in 1963, that specialises in making clothes for sailing, yachting and golfing.-Company Information:...
- La Maire de Sauternes
- CPC (United Kingdom) Limited (name changed in 1998 to Best Foods IncHellmann's and Best FoodsHellmann's and Best Foods are brand names that are used for the same line of mayonnaise and other food products. The Hellmann's brand is sold in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, and also in Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Canada...
)
Exhibitions and Galleries
Frickers work has been exhibited at:- European ParliamentEuropean ParliamentThe European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
, BrusselsBrusselsBrussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, May 2011 - Buckingham PalaceBuckingham PalaceBuckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
- London International Boat ShowLondon Boat ShowThe London Boat Show is held each January at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London, just opposite the O2 and the centre of London's business and entertainment centre. It is a very large event, now in its 54th year, which uses ExCeL's two 32,500 square metre halls...
- Royal Society of Marine ArtistsRoyal Society of Marine ArtistsThe Royal Society of Marine Artists is an association of artists in London, England, that promotes contemporary marine art. This includes painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture.-History:...
- Maison de la Fontaine, City of BrestBrest, FranceBrest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
- Chester Town HallChester Town HallChester Town Hall is in Northgate Street in the centre of the city of Chester, Cheshire, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building.-History:...
, including a Civic Reception - La Mairie, L'ile sur TarnLisle-sur-TarnLisle-sur-Tarn is a commune in the Tarn department in southern France.-Geography:The city is located halfway between Toulouse and Albi on the A68 motorway, in the Gaillac vineyard, on the banks of the Tarn. Historically speaking, it is also located on one of the ancient Ways of St...
, October, November 2007 - 1868 Restaurant, King David Street, Jerusalem, May 2007
Frickers' wine villages of France paintings have been exhibited at Gallerie Marin in Appledore, north Devon.
Books and TV
Frickers work has appeared in:- The Nelson Almanac edited by David Harris
- Nelson's Ships by Peter Goodwin
- Ships of Trafalgar by Peter Goodwin
- Fighting Ships 1750-1850 by Sam Willis
Frickers appeared in the 2010 TV documentary series, The Boats that Built Britain
Boats that Built Britain
The Boats that Built Britain is a British award winning documentary television series directed by Lawrence Walford and produced by Form Films for the BBC. Presented by sailor and writer Tom Cunliffe, it covers various significant ships in the maritime history of Britain...
.