Mersey ferry dazzled by British pop artist Sir Peter Blake

British pop artist Sir Peter Blake joined representatives from Liverpool Biennial, 14-18 NOW: First World War Centenary Art Commissions and Tate Liverpool to unveil the UK’s only ‘dazzled’ ferry on 2 April.

Snowdrop, which is operated by Merseytravel, has been painted with ‘dazzle’ paint to commemorate Liverpool’s role in World War One. The paint, which was used during World War One, was invented by artist Norman Wilkinson and is a form of camouflage that works by deliberately misleading the enemies’ eyes, making it difficult to estimate a target’s range, speed and direction. Each ship featured a different dazzle pattern to ensure that ships could not be easily recognised by enemy U-boats and aircraft.

Entitled Everybody Razzle Dazzle, Blake’s design covers the passenger vessel with a distinctive pattern that will be seen for the next two years, as she continues to provide her commuter service, River Explorer and Manchester Ship Canal Cruises. Snowdrop is the third in the series of Dazzle Ship commissions. Others included Induction Chromatique à Double Fréquence pour l’EdmundGardner Ship / Liverpool. Paris 2014 by Carlos Cruz-Diez on the Liverpool Waterfront, and Tobias Rehberger’s Dazzle Ship on the River Thames in London.

“I’ve had a long association with Liverpool over the years and I’m honoured and excited to have been asked to design a dazzle image for the iconic Mersey Ferry,” said Blake. “This has to be my largest art work to date and it is very exciting to see how the painters at Cammell Laird have executed my design.”

Onboard the ship, tourists and commuters can learn more about the history of dazzle art and the role the Mersey Ferries played in the World War One in a display developed by curators from National Museums Liverpool and Tate Liverpool. On 26 April, families and groups will be invited onboard the ferry to share their memories and display objects connected to Liverpool’s maritime history. Meanwhile, on 6 June, people will be able to make costumes and props inspired by the Great Dazzle Ball in 1919 at Tate Liverpool.

“The whole concept of ‘Dazzle Ferry’ has generated buzz and excitement even before launch, with people keenly following Snowdrop’s transformation and then sharing what they’ve seen,” said David Brown, chief executive of Merseytravel. “This project should not only capture the imagination of those visiting from afar, but will be a means for those who live locally to rediscover what’s on their doorstep. We’re offering up our ferry as a canvas and exhibition space through which the history of dazzle ships and the important role the Mersey Ferries played during the First World War can be explained.”