Artist resurrects famous Beatles ferryboat in new London exhibition

"Royal Iris, an Incredible Journey" is a new painting exhibition by Lorraine Fossi.

The River Mersey ferryboat ‘Royal Iris’ has provoked the work. After a proud history she now lays languishing outside Lorraine’s studio on the River Thames.

Royal Iris was one of the original Mersey ferries from 1952 to 1991. With a stage, dance floor and cocktail bar she was also a floating venue during Liverpool's most famous creative period. Among her famous guests, the Beatles played onboard 3 times in 1962.

Now in private ownership and moored at Woolwich, her future is very uncertain. Her demise would be a sad loss for Liverpool and there are calls to have her returned home before it's too late. 

Lorraine's oil paintings capture her beauty and stature and transcend her current situation. “We have both washed up at the same place on the Thames. I see Iris almost every day: lonely, compelling and beautiful” says Lorraine. “I don’t know what her fate will be, but I wanted to give her a new journey, as if transformed through my love and artistic vision.”


Listings information

Lorraine Fossi: Royal Iris, an Incredible Journey

Free exhibition: 15 – 21 April 2013

Gallery opening hours: Mon – Sat 11am- 7pm, except Tues ‘til 10pm.

www.lorrainefossi.net

Further information:

Lorraine Fossi: 07894 711471

info@lorrainefossi.net        
• Lorraine is available for interviews
• Full resolution images are available


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