Mackenzie Thorpe will set sail to New York in August exhibiting a collection with Clarendon Fine Art Gallery on board Cunard’s illustrious Queen Mary 2, as part of his 30th anniversary as an artist.

The Transatlantic Crossing is a far cry from the shipyards of Middlesbrough where he worked as a young man before following his creative ambitions, going on to become one of the biggest selling British artists of the last 30 years.

In his 30th year Mackenzie continues to blaze a trail for the artists who have followed him and for the exhibition will be bringing with him one of the largest collections of original artwork, limited editions and sculptures ever seen at sea.

The artist will follow in the footsteps of former presidents, astronauts and leading names from global politics and entertainment by speaking as part of the distinguished Cunard Insights lecture series during the voyage. Passengers can hear his uplifting story of triumph over adversity and find out about the universal themes of love and hope which are infused in his art. He will also be hosting a meet and greet event and giving passengers an insight into his inspirations and artistic process.

America was his home for a number of years at the start of the Millennium and his popularity from Florida to Hawaii endures to this day and the exhibition on the Queen Mary 2 reflects Mackenzie’s popularity on both sides of the pond.

Mackenzie Thorpe said:

“It’s so amazing to have an exhibition on the Queen Mary 2. I can’t believe that someone who began drawing the industrial ships going up and down the Tees as a child will have an exhibition on such an iconic ship, sailing across the atlantic into New York.

“Over the last 30 years I have been privileged to meet so many wonderful and lovely people and I hope to make new fans and meet old friends during the crossing. Wherever I exhibit it is always wonderful for me to see people instinctively connecting with my work, it is such a compliment and as I have never been on a cruise liner like this, it will be really interesting to see how this inspires me.”

Among the artworks on display at the exhibition on the Queen Mary 2 will be the unique collection of images he created as the official artist for Tour de Yorkshire 2019, in which he has captured and celebrates both the race and ‘our inspirational county’.