Wasa ship

A ship made out of knäckebröd.

Based on the history of the Swedish flagship Wasa, built in the 17th century.

King Gustav Adolf II wanted to build a warship fleet of 25 ships, based on the Wasa prototype, to conquer and rule the world seas. The ship was built by the Dutchman Hubertson over the course of three years. In 1628 the three-master set out on her maiden voyage, but sank like a stone after 1,300 meters out on sea. Everything and everyone on the ship was beyond saving and it is therefore the biggest nautical disaster in history.

In 1961 the Wasa was salvaged and later exhibited in a museum. It is the biggest ship ever salvaged from the seabed and it looks like knäckebröd. Wasa also became the name for a knäckebröd brand and that was a reason for me to build the other ships of the unfinished fleet out of knäckebröd as an ode to this history.

During the award ceremony of the ‘Koninklijke Schilders Prijs’ (the royal painting award and exhibition) in the palace in Amsterdam I presented my painting on knäckebröd to the former Queen of the Netherlands, Beatrix.

As part of the ‘Touche Beeldhouw prijs’ (Touche sculpture award and exhibition), I collaborated in a photo shoot with Dutch top models who partly ate my knäckebröd boat sculptures.

I can build a new ship on commission for € 1,500 (honorarium).

Measurements can vary, approximately 100x60x60 cm. Knäckebröd and glue.