In celebration of Cove Park’s 25th Anniversary, we are highlighting special residencies, commissions, and projects central to our growing archive.

In 2004 visual artist Simon Starling accepted the first Cove Park Commission and developed Autoxylopyrocycloboros, a major project launched at Cove Park in the summer of 2006 that focused on the history and geography of the Clyde Estuary. Starling sailed a small, customised steamboat on Loch Long, feeding the wooden boat piece by piece into the onboard woodburner, until it finally sank. The project formed the basis of his solo exhibition at Kunstverein Heidelberg in November 2006 and this major work has since featured in numerous national and international exhibitions.

In 2006 Simon produced a limited-edition artwork for Cove Park related to this commission. Using images documenting the sailing on Loch Long, the artist converted each archivally guaranteed giclée print into a unique work through a hand a burning process. Produced at Dundee Contemporary Arts Print Studio, this limited edition is available to purchase via Cove Park’s online Shop.

The exhibition Simon Starling: Boat Works, at Abbot Hall Art Gallery and Windermere Jetty Museum in Cumbria, features Autoxylopyrocycloboros and continues until 14 March 2026.

You can learn more about this exhibition in a review written by former resident and Cove Park Associate Caroline Bagenal.