S.S.
Jerseymoor
circa 1918
Lollipops, cricket
balls and electricity poles. The restraint of colour in this woodcut allows our
imaginations to run wild, which is the exact
intention of this artist. Wadsworth was commissioned during the First World War
to decorate English military ships so as to make them difficult to spot by
the enemy. His 'dazzle' designs (geometric or linear compositions painted onto the
sides of vessels) proved very successful, and in this piece we can see why.
Here we are placed in
the position of the enemy. At first glance it is nearly impossible to discern
any accurate or recognisable shape. As German Underwater boats we lose time
while trying to survey the scene ahead. The layout of this piece implies that we
are lost in a water jungle, one that constantly shape-shifts and hides threats
to our survival. But only when we take the time to study this do we make
out a pair of roofs and possibly two or three hulls of ships. This clever
scheme of camouflage, as applicable now as it was then, allowed many ships to
escape from or target the Germans before being attacked themselves.
But are these ships
resting in the dockyard? Or are they coming towards us, if they even are ships?
During war, let alone an ambush, the time it takes to pose these questions
means the difference between life and death. And whether in monochrome or bright
colours Wadsworth conveys perfectly how the eye can be tricked too easily into
confusing weapons for things less sinister, like grenades for game balls.
