With a career spanning over 30 years, Andy Peters is recognized as a leading craftsman in the field of naval sculpture. His rich and varied career has been built around a passion for preservation and innovation in maritime decorative art. During the Fêtes Maritimes de Brest 2024, where we met him, his skills captivated the attention of enthusiasts and professionals alike, highlighting an ancestral art that he strives to keep alive while adapting it to contemporary sensibilities.
Preserving and innovating while respecting maritime tradition
'' At one time, every major shipyard had a ship sculptor to supply the mass of ornaments needed to adorn warships, East Indian vessels and smaller merchant ships '', explains Andy Peters. An artist with a passion for traditional sailboats, woodcarving and the decorative arts, he has dedicated his career to this maritime tradition. In 1990, he founded ''Maritima Woodcarving'' with the aim of preserving this ancient and precious craft once crucial to every major shipyard.
Over the years, researching and recreating sculptures in historic styles has been at the heart of Andy's work, enabling him to produce period-accurate works for ship replicas.
This approach led him to become an expert in the restoration and conservation of historic objects for museums and collectors. He stresses the importance of carefully integrating ornamentation: '' Producing figureheads and stern sculptures for ships that have already sailed the seas has given me first-hand experience of how their design must not impede the ship's practicality and must be built to withstand the environment in which they must survive. ''
Maritima Woodcarving skilfully juggles tradition and modernity, keeping ancient know-how alive while adapting it to contemporary demands and sensibilities, particularly in the field of modern yachts. According to Andy Peters, this work is distinguished by its uncluttered approach: '' Unlike my historical work, these contemporary sculptures tend towards an economy of form. There are moments when, in a fleeting glance, there is an encounter, a connection, that goes beyond outer form, and the eternal beauty we all seek, is felt within. By disregarding superfluous detail, the pieces attempt to express the essence of the subject, which hopefully allows that inner connection to occur. ''
Mastering the art of naval sculpture
Andy Peters approaches his craft with meticulous precision, aware of the hazards imposed by the marine environment. Sturdiness is paramount, as marine sculptures must withstand the forces of the sea and the maneuvers of anchoring and docking. In this context, Andy stresses the importance of creating ornaments that complement rather than dominate the lines of a ship. This approach is essential, especially when it comes to adding decorative elements to modern yachts. These must integrate harmoniously with the original design, without appearing to be an afterthought.
Every piece made by Andy Peters, whether a simple identification panel or an elaborate figurehead, is sculpted by hand using traditional tools. He rejects the use of machine-cutting techniques, which he sees as lacking the subtlety and expression that only handwork can offer. Thorough research is an essential step for him, especially when it comes to creating faithful historical replicas. Andy has had the opportunity to immerse himself in two major ship replica projects, and the knowledge gained has led to the publication of a book entitled "Ship Decoration 1630-1780".
Figureheads: achievements that stand the test of time
In the past, major ports included sculptors specialized in naval decorations, creating works for warships and merchant vessels. These craftsmen didn't limit themselves to figureheads: they also carved signposts and decorations for quarterdecks and quarterdecks. Naval sculptures varied in size and technique. Smaller figures were often carved from solid blocks of wood, while larger figureheads were built by laminating sections of wood to ensure their sturdiness at sea. Sculptural motifs often reflected the type of ship. Warships featured figures symbolizing formidable strength, often inspired by mythological heroes, while merchant ships featured representations of the owner or his family.
Despite the efficiency of modern techniques such as mechanical chiseling, nothing rivals traditional handwork. For Andy Peters, hand-carved figures retain an authenticity and quality that industrial methods cannot replicate. Today, figureheads are sought-after collector's items. By recreating these historic pieces, the sculptor aims to capture the skills of the craftsmen of yesteryear.
The Götheborg, a replica of a 1738 Swedish East India Company ship, was designed to meet modern safety requirements while retaining its historical authenticity. To this end, Andy Peters was commissioned to research and create designs for the decorations on the stern, quarter galleries and figurehead. After six years' work for the Swedish company East India, Andy sculpted all the pieces, including an imposing lion-shaped figurehead, measuring 4.5 meters in height and weighing 3 tons.
In 2010, Andy Peters was involved in a research project linked to L'Hermione, to ensure the historical accuracy of her figurehead. The work, sculpted at the Rochefort shipyard, was revealed on November 10, 2011.
In 2020, Andy Peters was commissioned to recreate the Cutty Sark's figurehead according to builder Hercule Linton's original design.
The old figure, sculpted by Arthur Levison during the 1954-1957 restoration, was damaged and rotting after more than 60 years of exposure to the elements. The new sculpture was intended to restore the aesthetic integrity of the Cutty Sark, while preserving this iconic maritime symbol.
