Last chance to see Scotland's first ever Dazzle Ship

Published: 13 Jan 2017

Ciara Phillips’ Dazzle Ship Scotland Every Woman, created to commemorate the centenary of the First World War, will be on display for its final few weeks in Prince of Wales Dock in Leith, Edinburgh, before closing on 31st January 2017. This large-scale artwork, co-commissioned by Edinburgh Art Festival (EAF) and 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, is the fourth in a series of 'Dazzle Ships’ created by contemporary artists to commemorate the First World War.

Turner Prize-nominated artist Ciara Phillips developed a striking design for a new Dazzle Ship – the first ever in Scotland – to adorn the iconic vessel MV Fingal, celebrating the role of women during the First World War and commemorating the battle-ready ships that were docked at Leith 100 years ago.

The ship has proven to be an incredibly popular attraction, becoming a much-loved part of the Leith landscape as part of celebrations for the 70th anniversary year of Edinburgh, The Festival City. Since its launch in May 2016 when the ship journeyed down the Firth of Forth as part of the centenary commemorations of the Battle of Jutland, the ship has attracted an estimated 461,000 views, with thousands of local residents, festival audiences and international visitors sharing images and memories online.

Saying goodbye to the first Dazzle Ship in Scotland leaves behind an enduring legacy. Over 7500 Edinburgh residents - locals, school children and community groups young and old - have explored the history of Dazzle and the themes of this particular work – highlighting the role of women in the First World War. Through a dedicated programme of workshops and community events specifically developed around the artwork, Every Woman inspired creative responses across the city.

Highlights of engagement have included:

• A new poetry collection called ‘Signal’ written by local writers and poets in the city in response to the artwork and its themes.
• A new zine on female empowerment and an associated exhibition at Edinburgh Printmakers created by young Black and Minority Ethnic women of the Young Saheliya Group.
• A collection of short stories is to be launched on 18th January, created after working with elderly residents from Port of Leith Housing Association. The publication ‘Women At Work’ is a reminiscence project around working lives and wartime memories.
• In late December a replica dazzle ship was designed, built and festooned with dazzle decorations as part of the city-wide Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations and the family event Sprogmanay at the National Museum of Scotland.
• The Schools’ Programme focuses on the opportunities for interdisciplinary learning inherent in the project. Working with pupils from early primary through to high school age, thousands have participated in a range of activities including: producing a 360° film, coding and encoding in morse code workshops, creating stunning wall murals and an all-school Dazzle-focus week (Trinity Primary) that manifested in many ways including dance workshops and a miniature Dazzle boat for the playground.

Sorcha Carey, Director of Edinburgh Art Festival, said: “We are delighted to have been able to work with Ciara Phillips and so many project partners to bring such an ambitious artwork to life - I know that Every Woman will live long in the memory of residents and visitors to the city.”

Jenny Waldman, Director of 14-18 NOW, said: "Every Woman is an amazing piece of visual art that also gives occasion to reflect on a crucial moment when art contributed to saving lives in the First World War. I am delighted that so many people have experienced Ciara’s extraordinary design in the place where the first dazzled war-ready ships were docked 100 years ago.”

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, said: “The Dazzle Ship is a powerful and distinctive piece of public art that has encouraged its many visitors to reflect on the impact World War One had on Scotland and our people. The Scottish Government has been proud to support the project through the World War One centenary commemoration programme and our support for the Edinburgh Art Festival.

“Ciara Phillips clearly put a lot of thought into this work – expertly merging the location, the ship’s historical significance and highlighting the vital role women played at home during the conflict.

“The project has captured the imagination of thousands and inspired artists and writers to create further work, which I look forward to seeing.”

Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Festivals and Events Champion, said: “The Edinburgh Art Festival is renowned for showcasing incredible artworks in unusual places with Every Woman a prime example. Turner Prize nominee Ciara Phillips’ commission faithfully married Edinburgh’s artistic culture with its seafaring past. It has been a dazzling addition to Leith Docks as we sail into the 70th anniversary of Edinburgh - The Festival City and prepare for a staggering year celebrating our city’s distinctive and deeply embedded festival culture.”

Amanda Catto, Head of Visual Arts at Creative Scotland, said: “The Dazzle Ship has been a most extraordinary project that is testament to the vision and ambition of the Edinburgh Art Festival and the many stakeholders and partners involved. We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to them and to the artist Ciara Phillips for delivering such a powerful and important artwork. In a relatively short time the project has touched the lives of many thousands of people, encouraging their reflections on the First World War and generating new knowledge and fresh perspectives.”

Twitter: @EdArtFest #DazzleShip #1418NOW

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Flora Macfarlane, SUTTON PR
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