WMN 2011-10-01 P. 7 Picture Guy Channing
A painting by a Westcountry artist commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Penlee lifeboat disaster is to be unveiled at Truro Cathedral later this year.
The tragedy in December 1981 claimed the lives 16 men and women, including eight lifeboat crew. The lifeboat, the Solomon Browne, was launched into horrendous conditions to go to the aid of the stricken Union Star a few miles south of Tater Dhu lighthouse.
Plymouth-based artist David Folley is working on a new painting - titled Penlee: I hear voices that will not be drowned - as part of his project on the human spirit.
"I have often pondered what makes individuals voluntarily put their own life at risk for the benefit of others." Mr Folley said. "My human spirit project attempts to illustrate the very best of human compassion. It should not be viewed as a glorification of a particular event but as man's unselfishness in the face of adversity.
Sadly some are lost but the spirit of their endeavours lives on in our hearts. we are all aware of the fine tradition and heroic deeds of our emergency services: air rescue, fire service and ambulance. Penlee is dedicated to national lifeboat heroes past and present."
Mr Folley had already produced some concept work after undertaking research with the help of the Scottish Maritime Museum, where the last remaining sister vessel of the Solomon Browne is on display, and the RNLI.
He added: "I hope to make the final painting as large as possible so the detail had to be right. In the circumstances I think that is in keeping with the subject."
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