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Gallery Midnight

Where'd the Boat Go?

Where'd the Boat Go?

by Johny Midnight

Four emperor penguins gather on the Antarctic ice beneath an abstract aurora sky - curious, comic, and oblivious. The Endurance has just slipped beneath the surface. The men will eat them to survive.

Original for sale £20,000 | contact gallery

Limited edition fine art prints, hand-signed and numbered by the artist. Once the edition is sold out, it will not be reproduced.

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  • Artwork Description

    Four emperor penguins stand in a loose circle on the Antarctic ice, heads tilted, postures suggesting conversation - or mutual bafflement. Midnight renders the birds with exquisite realism: glossy plumage, soft yellow markings, expressive presence. Beneath them the ice dissolves into layered, translucent blues and whites; above, the sky swirls with pinks, mauves and frosted blues, evoking something close to an aurora. The painting's comedy carries a quiet sadness: these birds visited the men's camp daily, returning one day to find only empty ice. The Endurance had gone. The men would later survive, in part, by eating penguins.

  • Artist's Insight

    I loved the idea of the penguins chatting amongst themselves, unaware of the larger tragedy unfolding around them. It's funny, but also sad - just like the reality the men faced. These penguins genuinely frequented the camp during the expedition. They were curious about the men, indifferent to the cold. One day they came back and the boat had gone beneath the ice. And eventually the men had to eat them to survive. The sky in this painting is the most colour you'll find in the entire collection - I wanted that contrast deliberately.

Original Artwork Information

Artwork year created: 2023

Original artwork size: 100 x 100

Original artwork medium: Oil on canvas

Original artwork status: Available for sale - £20,000

Print Details

Gallery Midnight limited edition fine art prints are available in A2 and A3 sizes. Edition sizes vary depending on the artwork.

Edition Details

  • A3 Limited Edition of 100
  • A2 Limited Edition of 100
  • Printed on archival matt fine art paper
  • Hand-signed and numbered by the artist
  • Certificate of authenticity included

Framing

Framing is available exclusively through the gallery. As framing is a highly personal decision and depends on the setting in which the artwork will be displayed, we prefer to discuss framing options directly with collectors. Please contact the gallery to arrange framing for your print.

Original paintings are typically presented on stretched canvas and do not require framing.

Please contact the gallery for framing advice or to arrange framing

Shipping

UK Delivery

Limited edition prints are dispatched via Royal Mail and typically arrive within 3–5 working days.

  • Free UK delivery on orders over £250
  • £5.99 delivery for orders under £250

International Delivery

We also ship internationally via Royal Mail.

  • Europe: £10
  • Rest of World: £15

Delivery times for international orders may vary depending on destination and local customs processing.

Packaging

Limited Edition Prints

All limited edition prints are carefully packaged in protective cardboard tubes to ensure they arrive safely and in excellent condition. This method protects the artwork during transit and allows the print to be professionally framed once received.

Original Paintings

Original paintings are typically collected from the gallery or arranged for delivery separately. Please contact the gallery to discuss shipping options for original artworks.

Returns

Please view our returns policy here

About the Artist

Johny is a painter and founder of Gallery Midnight in Balham. His work is often described as “abstract on reality”, capturing familiar landscapes, seascapes and city scenes with expressive colour and movement. Influenced by a life spent between London, the Alps and the Caribbean, his paintings explore changing light, atmosphere and energy, inviting viewers to see well-known places in new and unexpected ways.

Discover more about Johny and Gallery Midnight

Blog posts

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

    The Shackleton Endurance Collection: Why I Devo...

    Johny’s fascination with polar exploration led him to create the acclaimed Shackleton's Endurance Collection - a year-long project inspired by the 2022 discovery of Endurance by marine archaeologist Mensun Bound. Drawing...

    The Shackleton Endurance Collection: Why I Devo...

    Johny’s fascination with polar exploration led him to create the acclaimed Shackleton's Endurance Collection - a year-long project inspired by the 2022 discovery of Endurance by marine archaeologist Mensun Bound. Drawing...

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