In Pictures: First Days of Ferry Metamorphosis into Dazzle Ship

Posted on 10 February 2015 by Liverpool Biennial

Earlier this month Liverpool Biennial, 14-18 NOW and Tate Liverpool announced the commission of a major new artwork for the city, in partnership with Merseytravel and National Museums Liverpool. Everybody Razzle Dazzle (2015) is a new art commission by legendary British pop artist Sir Peter Blake. Liverpool’s iconic Mersey Ferry will be painted with ‘dazzle’ camouflage using the artist’s distinctive designs. The project forms part of country-wide WWI commemorations and is the third Dazzle Ship in the series.

We invite you to follow us on the journey which will see one of Liverpool’s best-loved attractions transformed into a ‘Dazzle Ferry’. The photographs you see below depict Snowdrop’s first days in Cammell Laird’s impressive dock yard where the majority of work will take place. Starting with blasting and jet-washing, and followed by the application of a coat of white paint, Cammell Laird’s hardworking team of painters are next painting Sir Peter’s colourful designs onto the hull and then the superstructure of the ship.

Are you excited to see this new moving artwork? Will you come on board of the newly ‘dazzled’ Snowdrop come Spring? Let us know in the comments section below and join the online conversation using #DazzleFerry



Snowdrop in Cammell Laird's ship yard before the water is pumped out



Cammell Laird's team preparing to start work on the Ferry



Before paint can be applied, the Ferry needs to be inspected as part of routine yearly checks



Come rain or shine, the painters will work tirelessly for a couple of weeks to 'dazzle' the Ferry



This is only the start of the Ferry's transformation into a Dazzle Ship; the completed artwork will be unveiled this Spring.