INVOLVEMENT
MENSUN BOUND
~ENDURANCE22~
At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, UK in 2025, Mensun Bound, distinguished British maritime archaeologist, was delighted to receive my very own “Endurance” handmade artwork, purchased as a gift from polar historian/author Stephen Scott-Fawcett and the Sir Ernest H. Shackleton Appreciation Society Group, in recognition of Mensun's invaluable support and incredible achievement in locating 'Endurance' on 5th March 2022 below the north Weddell Sea ice.
In 2012, Mensun turned his attention to one of the most legendary and elusive shipwrecks in polar exploration history: Endurance, the vessel of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914–1917.
Lost beneath the ice-choked waters of the Weddell Sea after becoming trapped and ultimately crushed by pack ice, Endurance sank in 1915 and came to rest more than 3,008 meters below the surface. For over a century, it was considered the “world’s most unreachable shipwreck,” locked somewhere beneath one of the most inhospitable and remote marine environments on Earth.
Undeterred by the extreme technical and environmental challenges, Bound led a decade-long effort that culminated in 2022 with a groundbreaking expedition aboard the South African polar research vessel S.A. Agulhas II. The expedition—led by Dr. John Shears, a seasoned polar geographer and expedition leader, with Mensun Bound serving as Director of Exploration—brought together an international team of scientists, engineers, and polar experts that combined historical insight with cutting-edge technology, including autonomous underwater vehicles capable of operating in the harsh Antarctic depths.
Against all odds, the team succeeded in locating Endurance—astonishingly well-preserved in the frigid darkness of the seabed.
The discovery was not just a triumph of marine archaeology but a poetic closing of one of the great chapters in exploration history. It was a crowning achievement—a bridge between the heroic age of Antarctic exploration and the modern era of deep-sea discovery.
It was a true honour to see my work presented to Mensun and the team.
Jo, Mensun, Libby, and Zak Bound.
Find out more about Endurance22 and Shackleton's 1914 Expedition in the 'Trans-Antarctic Expedition' section of my website, or for more details on the expedition and it's discovery, visit the expedition's official site at:
THE SCOTT EXPEDITION 2013-14
Between October 2013 and February 2014, Ben Saunders and Tarka L'Herpiniere made the first ever return journey to the South Pole from Ross Island on the same route attempted by Sir Ernest Shackleton on the Nimrod Expedition, and by Robert Falcon Scott on the Terra Nova Expedition. At 1,795 miles (2,888 km) the Scott Expedition is the longest human-powered polar journey in history. Saunders and L'Herpiniere set out from Ross Island on 26 October 2013, reached the South Pole on 26 December 2013 and finished their expedition at Ross Island again on 7 February 2014 (105 days).
Pushing the outer limits of physical and mental endurance the Scott Expedition is the longest polar man-haul in history and will be the next chapter in one of the greatest stories of polar exploration ever told.
To learn more about Ben and Tarka's journey, visit their official web site at www.scottexpedition.com
I followed Ben and Tarka via Twitter and their blog through the enitre journey, and was extremely proud of both of them when they crossed the finish line.
They had pushed the envelope of human physical and mental endurance, and emerged true champions.
Shortly after, I created a custom commemorative sign in which I donated to The Scott Expedition's leader Ben Saunders, which to this day is hanging in his office.
QUARK EXPEDITIONS
Quark Expeditions has been the world leader in polar adventures for over two decades and successfully operated many first-ever passenger voyages to Antarctica, and the Arctic including the Circumnavigation of the Antarctic continent and the first Weddell Sea voyage, the first Transpolar Bridge across the North Pole, and the first Northeast Passage.
For more information on Quark Expeditions, visit their web site at www.quarkexpeditions.com/en
In 2014-17, VASSdesign art work was being displayed and had been available for purchase aboard Quark Expedition vessels on both Antarctic and Arctic voyages. It is a thrill knowing that some of my work has made it to the far reaches of both ends of the world!
Take a moment to read this wonderful article about me written by Quark Expeditions:
THE SIR ERNEST H. SHACKLETON APPRECIATION SOCIETY
In 2015, a design I created won 1st place, and became the new Sledge Flag for the Sir Ernest H. Shackleton Appreciation Society.
Currently, I sit on the Board of Administrators for the Society.
THE JAMES CAIRD SOCIETY
At the 21st Anniversary of the James Caird Society in London, England, the Honourable Alexandra Shackleton, grand daughter of Sir Ernest Shackleton, was presented with a donation and introductory letter from me, something I had always hoped to do. It was received with much appreciation and admiration from all members present. The donation was signed by Alexandra, and will be auctioned as a special item to raise money for polar charities. What an honour!
Much gratitude to Seb Coulthard, and Stephen Scott-Fawcett for making this happen!
In 2019, 2023, and 2025, I was honoured when asked if some of my colourized photographs from that era could be published in edition's of 'The James Caird Society Journal', in the UK.
They can be found in the #10, #12, #13 editions of the journal, courtesy of editor Stephen Scott-Fawcett.
To see more about my colourization work, visit the "Colouring History" section of this site.
SIR WALLY HERBERT
BRITISH TRANS-ARCTIC EXPEDITION
In 2019, I had the honour of collaborating with Dr. Huw Lewis-Jones, and his wife Kari Herbert, daughter of Sir Wally Herbert, to create an original design concept commemorating the 50th Anniversary (2018-19) of Sir Wally Herbert's British Trans-Arctic Expedition.
Sir Wally Herbert led one of the most remarkable journeys in the history of polar exploration with his 1968–1969 British Trans-Arctic Expedition.
Herbert and his small team aimed to achieve something no one had done before: a complete surface crossing of the Arctic Ocean by dog sled and ski, traveling via the North Pole and continuing on to Svalbard.
Over the course of roughly 5,600 kilometers (3,500 miles), they battled some of the harshest conditions on Earth, including temperatures plunging below −40°C, constantly shifting ice that could erase days of progress overnight, and dangerous stretches of open water between ice floes.
With no modern GPS and limited communication, the team relied entirely on traditional navigation and survival skills, along with the strength and endurance of their dog teams.
Reaching the North Pole in April 1969 marked a major milestone, but it was only part of the challenge, as they still had to complete the crossing to Svalbard to fulfill their objective. Two months later, Wally and his team completed their journey, some 3,720 route miles in all.
The expedition is widely regarded as the first confirmed surface crossing of the Arctic Ocean and one of the last great expeditions carried out in a traditional style before modern technology transformed exploration.
Herbert’s leadership, resilience, and commitment to authenticity earned him lasting recognition, including a knighthood, and his journey remains a benchmark for human endurance and exploration in the polar regions.
WHITBREAD ROUND THE WORLD RACE
GOLDEN GLOBE RACE
In 2022, my artwork was sent to France to be part of the big 50th Anniversary of the Whitbread Round The World Race (Ocean Globe Race) in 2023, along with 55th Anniversary of the Golden Globe Race.
My artwork was showcased in the office of OGR and stopover ports of the Race, to celebrate the first Whitbread Race!
Following the hugely successful 50th Anniversary Golden Globe Race in 2018, McIntyre Adventure had announced a follow-on 50th anniversary event of the first fully crewed round the world race; the Ocean Globe Race (OGR 2023) took to the high seas in 2023, following the same route as the grand daddy of offshore crewed racing events- the 1973 Whitbread Race.
Don McIntyre; Adventurer, Sailor and Founder of the Ocean Globe Race & Golden Globe Race, with entrants of the GGR2022 displaying my artwork.
In 1972 England's Whitbread company and the British Royal Naval Sailing Association agreed to sponsor a globe-circling regatta, which would be called the 'Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race'.
17 yachts and 167 crew started the first race of 27,500 nmi (50,900 km), which began from Portsmouth, United Kingdom on 8 September 1973.
Approximately 3000 spectator boats set out to witness the historic start.
The original course was designed to follow the route of the square riggers, which had carried cargo around the world during the 19th Century.
Originally named the Whitbread Round the World Race after its initiating sponsor, British brewing company Whitbread, in 2001 it became the Volvo Ocean Race after Swedish automobile manufacturer Volvo took up the sponsorship, and in 2019 it was renamed The Ocean Race.
Special thanks to OGR Founder and CEO Don McIntyre!
For more information on the OGR, visit the official web site at www.oceangloberace.com
Whitbread Round the World Race, and Golden Globe Race signs are available in the Nautical section of my Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/ca/shop/VASSdesign
PRINCESS PATRICIA'S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY
& the ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT
In April of 2025, I was commissioned by Sergeant B. Lowes, a dedicated member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) with over 25 years of service, to reproduce a series of historical recruitment posters from both World War I and World War II.
These posters represented both the PPCLI and the Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR).
The reproduced signs served a variety of meaningful purposes. They were presented as Departure with Dignity (DWD) gifts from fellow soldiers to honour retiring members with distinguished careers, auctioned or gifted at key PPCLI and RCR events, such as regimental birthdays and battle honour commemorations, and to potentially be displayed across Canadian Forces Bases where affiliated regiments were stationed.
There were also plans to display these pieces in classrooms at the Infantry School in CFB Gagetown, specifically within the Regimental Rooms/spaces dedicated to preserving the history and artifacts of each regiment, used to instruct future leaders of the Canadian Armed Forces and deliver specialized training.
It was a tremendous honour and an exciting opportunity for me!
All items are available on my Etsy Shop!
CANSOF - FIRST SPECIAL FORCES (FSSF)
"Black Devils" / "Devil's Brigade"
In April 2024, I was contacted by a representative from CANSOF (Canadian Special Operations Forces) "Black Devils" and commissioned to create a design using the unit's original logo created in WW2.
The FSSF “Black Devils” (First Special Service Forces), was an elite commando unit also known as the “Devil's Brigade” formed during WWII (1942-1944).
They were one of the most feared and deadly allied combat units during the war. The unit was composed of Canadian and American soldiers, and was the first official Special Forces unit to be created which became, in the U.S. Army’s official lineage, the unit from which today’s Special Forces groups are constituted.
Modern American and Canadian special operations forces trace their heritage to this unit.
My signs were signed by current SOF members and were given out to members that were starting to retire, who were "the heart and soul of the unit, and gave the most to the brotherhood and asked for the least in return."
It was an honour to be part of that. These sorts of commissions don’t come along too often.
TOM CREAN AIRPORT CAMPAIGN
Pete talks about his support in the campaign to have Kerry Airport renamed Tom Crean Airport in his honour.