To mark the centenary of Shackleton’s death, the Society’s exhibition, Shackleton’s legacy and the power of early Antarctic photography, will be on display at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Cornwall from 2 April.
Documenting the role of photography and literature throughout Shackleton’s career, the exhibition presents the influences and motivation which led him to a lifetime commitment to the polar region and building public awareness and understanding of the continent. At its heart lies the exceptional story of the Endurance expedition – a pivotal moment in Shackleton’s polar career, turning disaster to triumph, and where his focus on the power of photography to document the experience was paramount.
Drawing on original documents and photography – some previously unseen and newly digitised – guest curator Dr Jan Piggott, former Keeper of Archives and Rare Books at Dulwich College, has chronicled Shackleton’s early life, schooldays, career, his own writing and love of poetry, and achievements before and after the world famous Endurance expedition, complementing the Society’s popular 2015 Enduring Eye exhibition.
The exhibition also includes images by contemporary photographer Enzo Barracco, whose Noise of the Ice project in Antarctica was inspired by Shackleton.
Shackleton’s legacy will be available to view at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum, which is also home to thousands of artefacts from more than 150 wrecks, from Saturday 2 April until Sunday 30 October.
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Shackleton’s legacy is made possible through the generous support of British performance apparel company Shackleton, the James Caird Society, the Folio Society, the South Georgia Association, the Devon and Cornwall Polar Society, and private donation.