"M72" the boat was an object that bore the marks of time with good grace; it is a metaphor of anguished gritty resistance.

Spanish owned, registered in Milford Haven, sunk thrice, raised twice. Like the other objects it was wonderful to paint; representing them as realistically as possible to bring them close to the viewer. Is there a closet Conceptualist here? I might have persuaded Mr. Saatchi to set "M72" up in a gallery: but no! I am a painter and academic and enjoy paint and painting.