At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 hostilities between the Allies and Germany ceased with the signing of an Armistice. Guns fell silent and the task of repairing Europe and the many other theatres of war began. Ten days later, on 21 November 1918, the German Fleet arrived at the mouth of the Firth of Forth having been ordered to surrender to Britain and her Allies. Shortly after, Admiral Beatty, Commander of the British High Seas Fleet, sent a telegram to Admiral Von Reuter, Commander of the German High Seas Fleet ordering ‘ The German flag is to be hauled down at 15.57 today Thursday and is not to be hoisted again without permission.’
A formation of 253 Allied and German ships set sail from the Forth to Scapa Flow in Orkney where the German ships were to be held until the Allies decided what to do with them. However, rather than see them divided up between the Allies, on 21 June 1919, German sailors scuttled the ships and sent most of them to the bottom of Scapa Flow.
Artist’s Response
My WW1 story was about the surrender of the German Fleet, known as ‘The Day’ or ‘Der Tag’ by the Germans. When British Naval ships sailed out of the Firth of Forth in the night joining forces in the North Sea to make an almost 200 strong fleet to greet the German Fleet. I wanted to convey a sense of intimidation, even humiliation, as during my research it was suggested that this may have been the intention of the Navy. The story evoked a lot of imagery which lends itself well to the textural quality achieved by using the etching process.
Sophie Demery
Graduate In Illustration
Edinburgh College Of Art
www.sophie-demery.com
Instagram: @a.l.l.o.t.h.e.m.w.i.t.c.h.e.s
Sophie’s work is often subtle and ambiguous but sometimes it can be bold and graphic. Usually taking the form of a print or a book. A preoccupation for all things nautical has led to projects covering subjects including ocean currents, flashing patterns of lighthouses and Scottish fishing folklore. She tries to find a narrative where there doesn’t always appear to be one. Sophie is interested in the natural environment, for its potentially dramatic and changeable nature. Also, with the interactions of humankind with the natural environment. Often research and location based, her work is made up of a combination of photography, printmaking and collage. Creating minimal compositions, sometimes with a hint of humour.
