Nelson's Ship in a Bottle KS2 classroom resource

Essential Information

Location	Queen's House National Maritime Museum
Key Stage	Key Stage 2
School Subject	Art, Geography, History
Resource Type	Classroom activity

These resources support KS2 students to explore the artwork ‘Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle’ by Yinka Shonibare CBE. The information, images and videos can be incorporated into lessons linked to the following themes: Migration, Citizenship, Black Histories, Art and Design.

Artist Profile

Yinka Shonibare CBE was born in London and moved to Lagos in Nigeria when he was 3.

He returned to London to study fine art and today he is an internationally renowned artist and has exhibited his work all over the world.

He uses lots of different media to create his work including painting, sculpture, photography, film and performance.

What does Yinka Shonibare say about ‘Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle’?

‘For me, it’s a celebration of London’s immense ethnic wealth, giving expression to and honouring the many cultures and ethnicities that are still breathing precious wind into the sails of the United Kingdom.’

Explore below to find out all about ‘Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle’.

Watch a film about the artwork

Did you know?

The ship is a detailed, scaled-down replica of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson's flagship HMS Victory.

Victory was Nelson’s flag ship in The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

It has 80 cannons and 37 sails set as on the day of battle.

Where are the patterned sails from?

The patterned fabric used to make the sails is often associated with African dress and identity today but it has a complex history linked to colonialism, industrialisation and emigration. It was first inspired by Indonesian batik, mass-produced by Dutch traders and then sold in West Africa. Yinka Shonibare bought the pieces of fabric for the sails from Brixton market in London.

What is the message of this artwork?

Yinka Shonibare uses batik fabric associated with British colonies to create the sails on the replica of this famous naval ship to show the complicated relationship between Britain and West Africa. This artwork questions Britain’s use of the sea to gain power over other nations while also celebrating the diversity this interaction has resulted in.

How is Batik Fabric made?

Traditional batik uses wax and dye to create patterns. The wax stops the fabric absorbing the dye, revealing the colour beneath. Another layer of wax can be added in between each colour dye. At the end of the process the wax is removed from the fabric.

Learn how to create your own pattern

Choose three colours.
Think of a symbol or set of symbols to include in your pattern. These could be objects or shapes that show your interests or personality.
Create a square or a diamond with your shapes, symbols and colours.
A pattern is a repeating design so repeat your square or diamond.

Nelson's Ship in a Bottle KS2 classroom resource

Essential Information

Artist Profile

Watch a film about the artwork

Did you know?

Where are the patterned sails from?

What is the message of this artwork?

How is Batik Fabric made?

Learn how to create your own pattern

Learn about traditional West African fabric

Learn about traditional West African fabric

Learn about traditional West African fabric

Learn about traditional West African fabric

Learn about traditional West African fabric

Learn about traditional West African fabric

Learn about traditional West African fabric

Learn about traditional West African fabric

Learn about traditional West African fabric

Over to you

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