Captain Cook Birthplace Museum

by Simon Patterson

To complement the 1998 refurbishment of the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Marton, Turner prize nominee, Simon Patterson produced a series of mobiles based on kites. The kite mobiles are suspended from the ceiling and are fabricated out of polished stainless steel and clear perspex.

These kites are based on designs of the 19th Century Australian aeronautical pioneer, Lawrence Hargrave.

Simon Patterson, has taken some of Hargrave’s most famous designs and named them after seabirds such as the “Fluttering Shearwater” and “Cook’s Petrel”.

The artist’s idea came from observing the way seabirds follow in the wake of a ship. All these birds would have encountered by Cook and his crew on their voyages.

Simon has also designed a wall painting for the cafeteria at the Museum.

The painting is based on a contemporary star map of the southern sky, setting out the stars and constellations etc, by which Captain Cook would have navigated during his voyage to Australia

The Artist

Simon Patterson

Simon Patterson is an English artist and was born in Leatherhead, Surrey. He was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 1996 for his exhibitions at the Lisson Gallery, the Gandy Gallery, and three shows in Japan.

Read More about Simon Patterson

Gallery

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