Home sought for four-metre painting of historical Tasmanian ship

Fred McCulloch created over 30 paintings for his exhibition Marking Time, first shown at the Maritime Museum of Tasmania and then in a condensed form at the Exeter Art Centre.

He was looking forward to the opportunity to showcase the paintings in the Launceston region, where they are most relevant - but the Exeter Arts Centre was forced to temporarily close shortly after the exhibition was opened, in line with social distancing restrictions.

The most significant work, he said, is the representation of the HMS Nairana. This painting stretches across four separate canvases each one metre in length.

The paintings would make a good permanent addition to the region because of the ship's ties to the area, he believes.

"Perhaps a local council, museum or maritime institution would have a suitable wall to celebrate and highlight the historical significance of this iconic vessel," he said.

After a military career, the HMS Nairana spent 27 years as a passenger and cargo ship between Burnie, Devonport, Launceston and Melbourne.

"The Nairana was built in 1915 for Huddart Parker by William Denny and Brothers in Dumbarton, Scotland," McCulloch said.

"In 1917 the Royal Navy purchased her for completion as a combined land plane and seaplane carrier.

"Wheeled aircraft took off from her forward deck and float planes such as the Short 184 lowered by gantries into the water at the rear."

The use of the Short 184 plane represents a personal tie between the ship at the artist: McCulloch was born near the factory where the planes were produced in east Belfast.

"The HMS Nairana saw service during the war with the Grand Fleet, and in 1918-19 supported the British intervention in the Russian Civil War," he continued.

"The ship was returned to her original owners in 1921 and refitted as a passenger and cargo vessel."

It was then a regular feature on Tasmanian waters, before it was wrecked in a storm in 1948.

Saltwater runs in the blood for Mr McCulloch: his mother's family were shipyard workers in his birthplace of Northern Ireland.

The 73-year-old has lived in Tasmania for half a century, but his upbringing in east Belfast has continued to have an impact on his work.

After studying art and teaching at the University of Cardiff, McCulloch came to Tasmania in the tail-end of the "ten pound pom" influx into the country.

Among other positions, he worked as the art education officer at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery.

Now retired, he creates his art from his home in Glengarry.