Sea-mine with Oil Lamp 2
Artist: Burns, William Alexander, RSA · 1921-1972
Burns was heavily influenced by everyday objects and detritus lying around on harbour quaysides, working them into his distinctive abstract paintings.
Sometimes these formed mini series using the same generic name with a numerical suffix as is the case with the present work, Burns having previously painted a work titled "Sea-Mine with Oil Lamp 1."
The lamp is evident at bottom right with the large orange shape tot he left probably the rusting sphere of the sea-mine. The rest of the composition can be read as the quayside with fishing nets and lobster creel marker flags.
There is an incongruity in placing a highly flammable item like an oil lamp close to a sea-mine, albeit that the sea-mine in question was in all probability one of the many disarmed mines which were set up after the Second World War around British harbours.
Painted bright red these were often adapted to incorporate a slot where coin donations could be made for the RNLI or other charities concerned with saving lives at sea or providing care for distressed seafarers.
© The Copyright Holder
Additional details
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Object data
Date c.1972 - c.1973 Accession 1994.034 Materials Support hardboard Dimensions Support
127.2cm x 126.8cm
Frame
131cm x 130.5cmMedium Paint, oil -
Exhibitions
