Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Cunard's New Queen Elizabeth Features Art and Memorability


Cunard Line’s new Queen Elizabeth debuts on 11 October, the art and memorabilia on board will captivate guests with a unique mix of contemporary art, items from QE2 and the original Queen Elizabeth along with signature art deco pieces.

In addition, Queen Elizabeth’s fine art programme will depart from the art auction format with Cunard’s introduction of a partnership with Clarendon Fine Art, one of the most celebrated new galleries in London’s tony Mayfair district.

“Queen Elizabeth’s artwork reflects Cunard’s distinctive heritage and style with art deco pieces, maritime paintings, and works reflecting our ties to the Royal Family,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “And our partnership with London’s Clarendon Gallery provides an exciting new retail offering for our guests who enjoy contemporary art.”

Art deco flourishes, wood panelling, intricate mosaics, chandeliers and cool marbles will combine to give Queen Elizabeth a design and personality of her own, but with overtones of the late 1930s when her predecessor, the first Queen Elizabeth, was built.

Highlights include:

· An 18.5-foot marquetry panel depicting the port bow of the original Queen Elizabeth, created by David Linley, son of the late Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon, and Her Majesty The Queen’s only nephew

· A 30-inch antique 1930s art deco globe by Phillips & Sons situated on a large carved walnut stand in the library

· An art deco mural at the Reception Desk by Academy-Award® winner, author and art deco expert Arnold Schwartzman

Art throughout Queen Elizabeth also celebrates the ship’s predecessors. Examples include the art deco plaques on display at the Tour Desk, listing all the masters of the first Queen Elizabeth and QE2; the murals in The Verandah, inspired by the original Queen Mary Verandah Grill artwork; a tribute to QE2 in the Yacht Club, with striking photos and – from QE2 herself – a silver ship model and a builder’s plaque and bell; and the Midships Bar mural painted by Hollywood scenic artist Marian Westall. Artefacts from the first Queen Elizabeth will also be on display in the Midships Bar.

“Displaying the famous silver QE2 model created by Asprey’s in the early 1970s and displayed for many years on QE2, shows the enduring history of that famous ship,” said Peter Shanks.

Cunard Place, located on Deck 2 near the Queens Room, will feature memorabilia highlighting the relationship between the three Queen Elizabeth liners and Great Britain’s Royal Family, as well as murals based on the Queen Elizabeth and QE2 launch ceremonies painted by Italian artist Diego Bormida.

Housed in the Queens Room are three significant pieces: a bust of Her Majesty The Queen by Oscar Nemon; a replica of the Cunard-commissioned portrait of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh that was originally on display in Caronia’s main lounge and then was moved to QE2; and a second replica painting of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth by Sir Oswald Birley, commissioned for the original Queen Elizabeth and subsequently displayed on QE2.

Queen Elizabeth will also display paintings paying tribute to Cunard’s history.

Robert Lloyd is one of Europe’s most sought after marine artists, producing visually stunning paintings. His oil mural of three Queens meeting in Southampton, Queen Elizabeth in Sydney Harbour, and printed porthole murals of maritime scenes will all be on display in the Commodore Club, with other works in the forward stairwells.

Known for painting in oils using a palette knife, artist Harley Crossley had seven of his large original paintings of Cunard and White Star ships displayed on one of the stairways on board QE2. His most recent work of art, depicting Queen Elizabeth leaving Southampton, will be on display in the Grand Lobby.

Clarendon on Cunard will ensure that the most collectable contemporary art is available on board to view and to purchase, featuring a superior range of original paintings, limited editions, sculpture and collectors' art books. Rolf Harris originals and limited edition prints are expected to be popular.

The gallery will host events that provide a unique opportunity to meet some of the artists who will bring their work to life on board.

There will also be an area dedicated to collectable artwork surrounding Cunard itself, the Cunarders Gallery. Within this less formal setting, Clarendon will show collections of historical images, vintage travel posters and celebrity photographs, which will be exclusively available to guests of Queen Elizabeth.

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