Titanic Hotel Belfast celebrates maritime heritage with latest in series of stunning new artworks

Adrian McNally, General Manager at Titanic Hotel Belfast, is pictured with artist Peter Strain and his illustration ‘Maiden Voyage’ which is the most expensive commission to have been installed at Titanic Hotel Belfast

Titanic Hotel Belfast has unveiled a striking new artwork, Maiden Voyage, by local illustrator Peter Strain, which pays tribute to the legacy of Harland & Wolff and the unsung heroes of Belfast’s shipyard workforce.

Installed in the hotel’s prestigious Drawing Office Two bar, this piece marks the latest addition to an ongoing series of commissions with the artist, celebrating the city’s rich maritime heritage.

Peter Strain, a Belfast native, has captured the essence of the shipyard workers’ pride and resilience in Maiden Voyage. Using metallic gold watercolour paint, the artwork reflects both the grandeur of the ships they built and the hardships they endured.

Speaking about his inspiration, Strain said:

“I used metallic gold watercolour paint on the main print and I’m extremely proud of this creation. I’ve been fortunate to work on another three pieces of art as part of this ongoing series with the fantastic team at Titanic Hotel Belfast.

“The previous illustrations celebrated the contributions of both Thomas Andrews and Sir Edward Harland, however, I wanted to reflect on the shipyard worker’s key role in Harland and Wolff’s grand and ambitious ventures for this new piece.”

Strain’s work highlights the duality of pride and tragedy inherent in Belfast’s shipbuilding history. He noted:

“Despite the grandeur of the vessels, many workers endured harsh conditions, low wages and gruelling hours away from their families. Yet, they took huge pride in waving off these magnificent creations on their maiden voyages.

“In the case of the Titanic, this pride was mixed with a sombre realisation that a ship hailed as ‘unsinkable’ might mask the potential, unavoidable vulnerabilities of any maritime vessel.”

The sinking of the Titanic in 1912 left an indelible mark on Belfast’s shipyard workers, who carried the weight of their contributions to a vessel that met a tragic end.

Strain reflected:

“After the tragic sinking, the workers were left with the weight of their contributions to a ship that, despite its promise, met a devastating end. The disaster was a stark reminder of the impermanence of human endeavours and the fragile nature of even the most grandiose achievements.”

The installation of Maiden Voyage in Drawing Office Two, a historically significant space within the former Harland & Wolff headquarters, has been hailed as a fitting tribute.

Adrian McNally, General Manager of Titanic Hotel Belfast, praised the artwork’s impact, stating:

“This depiction of the shipyard worker is absolutely amazing. It’s almost as though the wall in Drawing Office Two was made for this illustration which stands as a tribute to the shipyard workers who played a pivotal role in creating some of the most impressive ocean liners of their time.

“Peter has an incredible talent and we believe ‘Maiden Voyage’ will evoke many conversations among our visitors about the history of this unique building and the people who worked in harsh conditions but took immense pride in launching magnificent ships.”

McNally also revealed that the commission of Maiden Voyage represents the hotel’s most expensive investment in its art collection to date, underscoring its significance.

The artwork joins other pieces by Strain, including Then and Now, which traces the 150-year evolution of the shipyard; Thomas Andrews, which captures the dignity and compassion of the Titanic’s designer with the quote “Tommie did all he could to help the passengers”; and Edward Harland, which honours the shipbuilder’s dedication to passenger comfort.

The public can view Maiden Voyage and Strain’s other works as part of a free Heritage Tour offered by Titanic Hotel Belfast. These tours provide a unique opportunity to explore the history of the Harland & Wolff headquarters and the stories of the workers who shaped Belfast’s maritime legacy.

For more information or to book a tour, visit www.titanichotelbelfast.com.

Titanic Hotel Belfast continues to cement its status as a cultural hub, blending historical reverence with artistic innovation. Strain’s evocative illustrations serve as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind the shipyard’s towering achievements, ensuring that the legacy of Harland & Wolff and its workers endures for generations to come.