Royal Iris an Incredible Journey 

Iris, 2013, Oil on linen, 70x50cm

Artist resurrects Beatles Riverboat in New Exhibition

Royal Iris an Incredible Journey is a new painting exhibition by Lorraine Fossi.
The River Mersey ferry- boat ‘Royal Iris’ has provoked the work. Languishing, outside her studio on the River Thames.

“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, she is rotting way, useless and old, I wanted to give her a new journey, as if transformed through my love and artistic vision.”

The Royal Iris was a fixture on the Merseyside, from 1952 to 1991 the Royal Iris had a stage, dance floor and cocktail bar. On its ‘River Cruises’ during the 1960’s many acts from the Merseybeat scene, including The Beatles performed abroad.

The reinvention of Iris’ journey is a final attempt, at least in the metaphorical, to achieve what various campaigns have failed to over the last two decades since Royal Iris has been out of service. To salvage the destitute and make one final journey, not back but beyond.

http://www.lorrainefossi.net/royal-iris/