“Horizon Light” Sculpture Wooden Ship

“Horizon Light” is inspired by the War of 1812, when the United States faced the greatest naval power in the world, Great Britain, in a conflict that significantly impacted the young country’s future. The artwork features a British-built, two-masted brig captured by the U.S. Navy. On the stern of the ship is proudly displayed a rare 17-star and 17-stripe U.S. ensign, originally belonging to the privateer schooner “Blockade,” a 128-ton vessel commanded by Captain Elisha Mix. The Blockade was captured in a battle near the Island of Saba in the Caribbean on October 31, 1812, by Captain James Clepham, who commanded the HMS Charybdis, a 385-ton, 18-gun British Navy brig with a crew of 121.

The Artwork

This stunning artwork embodies the artist’s imaginative interpretation of events following the evolution of the U.S. flag and the British warship. The display showcases a handcrafted two-masted brig, constructed from over 10,000 uniquely designed media elements, attached to a highly detailed plank-on-frame hull. The vessel’s exterior and interior are finished with extraordinary care, using a secret staining technique developed by the artist.

Horizon Light is mounted on a specially designed and intricate dry dock. The British brig, captured by the U.S. Navy, has been refitted to serve as an expedition vessel in preparation for a search for the Northwest Passage. This artwork is a product of pure imagination, created without any plans, sketches, or measuring tools, reflecting the artist’s unique vision.