Emma Stibbon Loss, Landscape and Goodbye..

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Loss, Landscape and Goodbye HMS Protector final blog..

As we depart from the Peninsula and the last small growler if ice disappears on the horizon I am struck by a sense of loss, I realise I am unlikely to have the opportunity to return to this remarkable landscape. The Peninsula coastline is astoundingly beautiful and perplexing. In visiting such a remote place I become acutely aware that this is a climate that can’t sustain human life. One has the sense of being overwhelmed by nature, an awareness that we are just a species like any other. Apparently the last pristine wilderness this is an environment that profoundly influences the planet’s oceans and climate.

Thanks

My thanks to Scott Polar Research Institute for selecting me for the Antarctica Artist Placement 2013, and Bonhams for their sponsorhip. A big thank you to HMS Protector and the ship’s company for making me so welcome me onboard.

These blogs have not been posted in real time due to the remote location.

Emma Stibbon will be exhibiting at Rabley Contemporary in November 2013 – so keep posted!

Emma Stibbon Extraordinary icebergs from glacial ice

E icebergs from glacial ice. HMS Protector Blog 6 The extraordinary icebergs that we pass originate from glacial ice. These freshwater, large masses of floating ice are calved from glacier tongues or from ice shelves derived from land ice.  Berg … Continue reading →

Emma Stibbon ‘Late Austral Summer in Antarctica’

This gallery contains 14 photos.

http://www.rableydrawingcentre.com Late austral summer in Antarctica. HMS Protector blog 5 The months of February and March are late austral summer in Antarctica, and as we head further south beyond the Antarctic Circle the light hours increase to over 18 hours … Continue reading →

Emma Stibbon ‘Progressing South’

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In progressing South we pass through the Lemaire Channel, perhaps one of the most scenic places on the planet. HMS Protector Blog 4

Emma Stibbon ‘Mountains South’ Ink on paper

On the 21st Feb we reach Matha Strait, an area of coastline that HMS Protector has been tasked to chart. A small group of us make landfall to camp overnight on Detaille Island as the survey team need to install a tide guage. It is an amazing experience to sleep out on the ice, although as temperatures reached -15 it is the coldest experience of my life.

Emma Stibbon ‘Detaille Island’ ink on paper

I learn that it is important to establish the periodic rise and fall in tide in order to apply this difference to the sonar measurements of the seabed. Tides varies across the globe; a few millimetres in the West Indies compared to 15 metres back at home in the Bristol Channel. By measuring the tidal difference over a 25 hour period off Detaille Island, the hydrographer can apply this to their calculations to get the true tidal range in the Peninsula area.

Emma Stibbon ‘Sonar and 3D images of the seabed’

This gallery contains 2 photos.

http://www.rableydrawingcentre.com Emma Stibbon ‘Sonar and 3D images of the seabed’ Blog 3 From HMS Protector The ship has an array of monitoring devices onboard, primarily concerned with hydrography and navigation. ‘Sonar data collection on the Bridge’ I am learning about the … Continue reading →

Emma Stibbon Sails South to Antarctica

Sailing into Deception Island is an experience. The island’s collapsed volcanic cone forms one of the safest natural harbours in the world.

Read more on Emma’s blog from Antarctica

Emma Stibbon ‘Rough Crossing to Deception Island’

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Emma Stibbon ‘Rough Crossing to Deception Island’ blog 2 from HMS Protector

Emma Stibbon ‘Deception Rockface’ Ink on paper

After a fairly rough crossing where I became familiar with my bunk we sighted the South Shetland Islands. Sailing into Deception Island is an experience. The island’s collapsed volcanic cone forms one of the safest natural harbors in the world.