Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, Kenneth Shoesmith showed an early talent for painting ships and the sea. Shoesmith trained on HMS Conway from the age of sixteen and then joined the Royal Mail Company as a junior officer. Travelling the world on the ships he loved, between duties he would paint the maritime scenes and landscapes around him. The artworks in this fascinating exhibition capture the golden age of the great liners, with atmospheric and detailed records of the ships themselves, and of the exotic worlds they travelled to. Please note that up until Wednesday 3 October the exhibition may be closed from time to time while we de-install ‘Age of the Dinosaur’. Please call the museum in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment.