CFP: Art and the Sea

Conference Theme: Art and the Sea

Interest in maritime art and its role in art history has reignited in recent years and this conference provides an opportunity for examination and reassessment of this field.  The theme of Art and the Sea lends itself to interdisciplinary approaches and subject matter.  It is anticipated that interest will arise from those working in art history, transport history, sociology, maritime studies, natural history, engineering, biology and many other areas.  Submissions for conference papers on the theme of ‘Art and the Sea’ from these and other disciplines are welcome.

The sea and maritime travel are subjects of universal fascination.  For centuries, the sea inspired both fear and fascination and, unsurprisingly, these emotions fuelled artists and craftspeople to create work in response.  Traversing the sea was often laborious which led to sailors developing new crafts or to vessels being decorated to entertain or provide interest.

For the 2019 CPMH Conference (UK), we consider these themes and aim to discover what current, cutting-edge research is revealing about the role of art and design in relation to the sea.  We encourage the discussion of previous debates in the light of new evidence or approaches and the introduction of entirely new subject matter and methods.

The conference theme is deliberately broad in scope, but potential themes / topics for discussion could include (but are not limited to):

• Maritime vessels as sites for art or art making.
• The depiction of ships / ports / sea conditions in art.
• Ship figureheads (significance / symbolism / creation).
• Art under the surface of the sea.
• Maritime artists and their role in art history.
• Museology of maritime art.
• The intersection of natural history and maritime art.
• Interior design of vessels.
• Use of images of the sea for commercial purposes.

Registration fees are £10 for non-concessions or free for concessions.

There will be a conference reception during the evening of Friday 13 September.  Details will be circulated to delegates in due course.

To submit an abstract for this year’s conference, please email a 250-word abstract to Dr Emma Roberts, CPMH Committee (e.e.roberts@ljmu.ac.uk) by the 1st of July 2019.

Website: https://centreforportandmaritimehistory.wordpress.com/