The Grand Lobby – Cunard – Queen Anne
Submitted by: Double Decker
Lead designer: Ian Kirkpatrick (artist), Double Decker
Outfitter: Double Decker
Completion Date: 01/05/2024
Double Decker, the London-based studio specialising in art curation for the hospitality sector, masterfully directed the creation of the art collection for Cunard’s newest addition to their fleet, Queen Anne, unveiled in May 2024. This collection comprises an extraordinary 4,300 never-before-seen, site-specific artworks, on display throughout the ship, making this the largest curated art collection at sea.
One of the most significant artworks aboard Queen Anne is the signature masterpiece in the Grand Lobby: entitled ‘A Cunard Journey’, this colossal four-meter tall triptych celebrates the great history of Cunard’s sea travels. The museum-quality piece is the focus of this spectacular triple height central atrium, a key space sitting at the heart of the ship.
Designed by David Collins Studio, the Art Deco inspired central lobby evolves and unravels as guests journey through making it a flexible and multi-purpose space at different times of the day. From welcoming guests as they first arrive on board, to becoming a central meeting place for all sorts of different occasions, big and small, the Grand Lobby is one of the key public areas aboard Queen Anne.
Double Decker enlisted the exceptional talent of London-based Canadian artist Ian Kirkpatrick. Drawing inspiration from the significant Cunard Archives held at Liverpool University, Kirkpatrick created ‘A Cunard Journey’ as a trilogy, narrating the journey of a Cunard’s liner in key narrative segments: departure, journey at sea, and arrival.
In typical Double Decker style, Kirkpatrick was invited to push his artistic boundaries, and experiment with this vertical artwork, injecting a bold strike in the piece. The medium used, brass panels with kinetic photochemical-etched imagery, also represent a first for the artist.
The result is a stunning creation, with a distinct narrative unfolding through each of the three panels, in a chapter-like motion. Starting from the first panel – depicting the vessel’s majestic departure, through its serene sail across the sea, and concluding with its enchanting arrival to a magical destination, the panels gradually change and evolve as guests encounter them.
While grounded in simplicity, the work exudes sophistication and contemporary flair, and follows in the legacy of iconic atrium murals found within the Cunard fleet. It perfectly embodies Cunard’s brief: to create a new luxury experience tailored for today’s discerning guests.
