Loss of the Flora Nickerson, 1993

Private Collection, Toronto

In the artist's signature grand narrative style, Blackwood's aquatint etching “Loss of the Flora Nickerson” poses existential questions of one's scope and scale within their environment. The artist's sharp focus on Newfoundland's pre-Confederate history and culture, positions his body of work in a unique space within the Canadian art historical dialogue. Often looking back to his childhood growing up in the small but bustling harbour town of Wesleyville, Blackwood couples his experiences with longstanding community histories, myths and stories to capture the quintessential Newfoundland way of life in an era of independence, self-reliance and resilience. The rich monochromatic blue pigments of this work highlight a dramatic tone to the story unfolding. The division of the image field to give importance to the central whale figures and reduce the ship crew to more supporting roles within the composition, emphasizes the artist's devotion and exploration of the harsh Newfoundland environment. In the distance, the Flora Nickerson flounders to the unforgiving waters as its crew and passengers row to safety in their row boat. The sorrow of the loss is engrained in the solemn down-turned expressions of the men aboard the life boat, as a father protectively holds his young boy. This timeless gesture of compassion is not lost within the composition as we see a similar expression of protection in the central whales below. In both instances, a parent encircles their young to instill a sense of safety and security. This subtle mirroring is an interesting comment on not just human compassion and relationships, but speaks to a larger theme of interconnectivity between humans and their environment and the fragility of one's very existence. The sublime power of the composition harnesses a drama of Greek myth proportions, visually highlighting the very notion of one's mortality within a moment of loss, compassion and comfort.