Man in Boat - Acrylic on board - 60cm x 50cm

Enigmatically named this picture shows some of the darker sides of Ibbotson's character. It begs many questions - what is the man doing in the recesses of his small craft? - why is the boat still tied to the jetty? - who is the sinister figure lurking on the quay? and what does the mysterious sign mean with its green 'T' on show to all passers by both on and off the water?

Set in Grimsby at night there are many echoes of Ibbotsons time spent in the merchant fleets which often departed from this port. Could it be that these characters are well known to the Artist? And the houses in the background are they the houses of ill repute oft frequented by sailors weary from endless voyages over grey boring seas to dull boring places?

Wonder if you will at the expansive application of paint - the subtle palette knife techniques which give the picture its unique quality - and the choice of colour so right for the subject - Grimsby at night.

The picture is on display until further notice on the staircase of Chez Senior or until we can find something better.