“25ft murals at Waitrose East Cowes, Isle of Wight. Celebrating the history of Saunders-Roe, the SR.N1 Hovercraft, and the Princess Flying Boat.”
Commissioned for the opening of Waitrose’s first "overseas" branch in 2010, these two 25-foot murals serve as a landmark installation at the East Cowes ferry terminal. The project required a departure from traditional 3D sculpture to create a large-scale visual narrative that anchors the modern retail space to the town's rich maritime and aviation history. The murals celebrate the spirit of innovation synonymous with the Solent:
The SR.N1 Hovercraft: A tribute to Sir Christopher Cockerell’s invention, built locally by Saunders-Roe.
The Saunders-Roe ‘Princess’ Flying Boat: Depicting the iconic ten-engined aircraft, once the largest metal flying boat in the world.
Maritime Life: Featuring the local Search and Rescue helicopters and the sailing culture that defines the Isle of Wight's identity.
The East Cowes branch was a flagship for sustainability, being the first Waitrose to incorporate its own biomass-fuelled renewable energy centre. These murals were designed to complement this forward-thinking architecture while providing a "catalyst" for local regeneration, as noted by the town's Mayor during the unveiling.
