Zach’s project ‘Vindicatrix’ was conceived during his time spent in self-isolation, documenting the local history of the derelict merchant navy training ship Vindicatrix. The process of creating this work was cathartic and allowed him an important outlet over the last year. Initially forming a visual language to address his personal outlook and the current social climate, whilst ultimately fulfilling his innate urge for exploration.

“Bouts of self-isolation in 2020 were punctuated by the exact same walk I went on every day, through areas of dock-side industry, both active and historic, and the abandoned ‘Vindicatrix’ Merchant Navy training site. Looking into the history of the Vindicatrix I found stories of circumnavigation, archival imagery of ship-board comradery, and passionate recounts from all those I spoke to. These images are the result of my collaboration with the ‘Vindi Boys’ and the T.S. Vindicatrix association, documenting the current state and legacy of this historic site.”

“The Vindicatrix was moored at the Old Arm at Sharpness from 1939 to 1966 to provide a base for training boys as deckhands and stewards for the Merchant Navy. The courses lasted two to three months, and around 70,000 boys received their basic training here. Thank you to Jim Cooper (captain), Stuart Hall (steward), and Ken Long (deck hand), I look forward to collaborating with more of the Vindi Boys.”