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The Berwick Turtle

£50.00
Image 1 of The Berwick Turtle
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Title: ‘The Berwick Turtle’
Size: 297x420mm
Release Date: November 2025
Reproduction from a watercolour painting
Signed and numbered
Certificate of Authenticity
Edition of 50

Berwick-upon-Tweed and the myth of a World or Cosmic Turtle that carries the universe on it’s back inspired this Sea Monster.

Berwick is the northern most Town in England. It sits only 3 miles from the border with Scotland. The historic walled Town has seen many bloody wars fought over it.

Inconveniently it is set on the north bank of the Tweed, the natural border with Scotland. This placement is cause of considerable issue. More so in the past than now but the tension of a Border Town can still be felt. In days gone by it was an extremely valuable trading post. Control of the Town gave control over traffic on the river. The Tweed being the fastest passage into the fertile lands of the valley. The port linked sea trade to Denmark and Europe. And once upon a time the river teemed with salmon.

Now Berwick is a forgotten, neglected place, falling between Newcastle and Edinburgh. An hour by train each way. The Town is not the
 responsibility of Scottish councils and it is too far from Morpeth, the administration center of Northumberland, to receive much attention.

This leaves Berwick a PLACE APART. Living here one could be forgiven for thinking this is all the world there is, such is the isolation, the remote feeling. What then if my Sea Monster Turtle carried this 'whole world' as it’s burden, as if this Town is all that exists. I imagined the merging of the medieval Town and ancient sea creature into a grotesque hybrid Monster.

Reflecting on the image after completion I see a clear statement on the relationship between humans and nature. The Town is architectural testimony to man’s busy-ness. Evident are dwellings, defenses, trade, commerce and religion. All the while nature bears the burden of our activities with an enigmatic smile.

The original painting has been reproduced as a giclée print. The archival stock matches cold press watercolour paper in texture and gives the print a warm glow.

PLEASE NOTE.

All prints are made on request so please allow 7 days from ordering to delivery. This gives time to receive the order from the printer, quality check, sign, number and package with the specially designed Certificate of Authenticity.