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Galley Q, Dundee, has invited Theo to exhibit work that revisits his experience of exploring the abandoned whaling stations on the Sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. The exhibition contains 6 new paintings of the armospheric stained metallic structures set amongst a vast glacial wilderness. Many of the rusty laiden structures once housed the whalers, many of whom originated in Scotland and Norway and also appear in Ernest Shackletons epic survival story.
South Georgia is home to the abandoned whaling industries that were active from 1904 to the 1966. Now lying in ruin, the disused stations are unique sites of industrial heritage amongst a vast glacial wilderness. These ruins are damaging wildlife habitats on the island and lots of work still needs to be done in order to fix the ongoing issues. A portion of income from every painting sale in this series will be donated to the South Georgia Heritage Trust to help restore damage caused by the whaling industry.
Theo strives to record the obscure landscape, often abandoned and remote. Located over 7500 miles from home, these industrial landscapes were an idyllic source of inspiration to begin his most ambitious series of paintings to date. After completing the residency for the South Georgia Heritage Trust an exhibition of paintings and drawings toured around several locations, including the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.
There is also a 68 page hardback book dedicated to the project, with words from Theo about the experience and photographs from inside the rarely documented whaling stations.
Prince Olav Harbour whaling station South Georgia
