From Saltburn to Flamborough: Norman Ackroyd

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This is the first time that Ackroyd, who is world famous for his atmospheric etchings of the breathtaking British coastline, has explored the Yorkshire coastline through his artwork.

Ackroyd chartered Specksioneer, a Whitby whale watching boat, from which he was able to create a series of sketches of the rugged coastline as seen from the sea, he remarks:

“In place of promontories and islands, our coastline presents a blunt face to the North Sea, making it more difficult to see from the land and more difficult to appreciate it’s uniqueness. The coastal cliffs of Yorkshire are deceptively beautiful…but a closer look reveals a long spiritual, industrial and often violent history.”

Ackroyd has created a suite of ten stunning prints, ‘From Saltburn to Flamborough’, exploring the coastline, available either individually or as conservation grade boxed sets. These include atmospheric images of:

·       Whitby, which has long been of great importance for Christianity, whaling and shipbuilding. Captain Cook’s famous ships Endeavour, Resolution, Adventure and Discovery were all Whitby built.

·       Crab Rocks at Bempton is the epicentre of the extensive gannet colony which has expanded massively over the last three decades.

·       Saltwick Nab is man made, becoming isolated from the parent cliff as a result of extensive alum mining on the site over many years. Foundations of the old mine buildings can still be traced.

Etchings from the suite ‘From Saltburn to Flamborough’ are available from Zillah Bell Gallery, North Yorkshire from December 2014 onwards. Zillah Bell Gallery hosts the annual international exhibition of the Society of Wood Engravers and holds the largest collection of work by Norman Ackroyd in the UK. www.zillahbellgallery.co.uk