The Shackleton Endurance Collection: Why I Devoted a Year to Painting This Extraordinary Story

On 5 March 2022, the world watched as the wreck of Endurance - Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legendary ship - was discovered 3,000 metres below the surface of the Weddell Sea. For most, it was an astonishing archaeological moment. For me, it sparked an unexpected personal connection.

As the news unfolded, I found myself wondering whether Mensun Bound, the marine archaeologist I had met some years earlier, had been involved in the discovery. Moments later, his face appeared on screen. The very next day, his wife Joanna ( owner of the ski company Erna Low, for whom I had painted a ski mural) contacted my gallery. She wanted to discuss a commission: a portrait of Mensun - and possibly an entire collection inspired by Shackleton and the discovery of Endurance itself.

That conversation was the starting point of what became a year-long artistic journey. The result is my Shackleton Endurance Collection - a series of paintings capturing the endurance, hardship and courage of Shackleton’s 1914–1917 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

 Building the Concept: A Montage of History, Imagination and Survival

We agreed that the first piece would be a portrait of Mensun Bound, combined with a visual collage of the Shackleton Endurance story. I began compiling a montage of elements I felt essential to the narrative:

• Endurance as she once stood, proud and unbroken above the ice
• The wreck as she lies now, preserved in the freezing depths
• Shackleton’s men hauling the James Caird across gruelling terrain
• Scenes of survival, determination, and brutal Antarctic weather

My aim was not to copy history, but to interpret it - merging archival inspiration with emotional and imaginative expression.

 The Crucial Role of Frank Hurley’s Photography

Much of what we know visually about Shackleton’s expedition comes from Frank Hurley, the official photographer. His images are not just documentation - they are the backbone of the narrative. Without Hurley’s work, the story of Endurance would be far more fragmented.

While Hurley’s black-and-white photographs serve as key reference points, I didn’t want to simply recreate them. Instead, I used them as foundations to build upon, adding:

·  deeper cold

·  more wind

·  sharper danger

·  harsher environments

·  and the raw emotional tension of survival

Colour became essential - bringing to life what Hurley could only capture in monochrome.

 Key Works in the Collection

 Shackleton and the Wreck of Endurance

One painting pairs Shackleton’s portrait with an image of the wreck resting at the bottom of the Weddell Sea. The level of preservation is astonishing - the cold and pressure have kept the ship almost intact. You can see the wheelhouse, the portholes, and the anchors. It is a breathtaking reminder of what the men faced.

Journey from Hell

This painting portrays perhaps the most treacherous small-boat journey in history: the voyage from Elephant Island to South Georgia. I wanted to capture the fear, fragility and sheer willpower of men battling one of the most hostile seas on the planet in a tiny boat. To me, this painting epitomises the spirit of endurance.

Chippy (Harry McNeish)

Based not on a photograph but on the diaries, this painting honours Chippy, the ship’s carpenter. His work on the James Caird - modifying it to survive the brutal seas - was vital to the rescue. I imagined him absorbed in his craft, while Shackleton rallied the other men in the background.

 Exhibiting the Collection

 The Shackleton Endurance Collection has been shown at:

·  Dulwich College (twice), alongside the original James Caird - particularly fitting as Shackleton was a former student

·  Gallery Midnight, London, where Mensun Bound spoke publicly about the discovery

·  The Royal Geographical Society, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Shackleton’s birth, attracting enthusiasts from around the world

There are also discussions about exhibiting the collection at the Explorers Club in New York and the Maritime Museum, which would be an extraordinary next chapter for the work.

 A Year of Immersion in a Legendary Expedition

I rarely devote a full year to one subject, but this collection demanded deep focus, research, and emotional investment. Speaking with Mensun Bound throughout the process helped me understand what the men endured—and guided the atmosphere of each piece.

Creating this collection has been one of the most absorbing experiences of my career. That the work is appreciated by Mensun - the man who discovered Endurance - is an honour I hold with great pride.

 To view the full collection and purchase limited edition prints, click here