Red Funnel Brings East Cowes Mural To Life Onboard Red Eagle

Passengers travelling between Southampton and East Cowes can now learn more about one of the Isle of Wight's most striking pieces of public artwork thanks to new onboard displays installed on Red Funnel's Red Eagle.

The ferry operator has transformed a previously blank wall onboard the vessel with a series of colourful information panels celebrating the giant mural painted on the side of East Cowes' iconic Columbine Building.

Covering around 800 square metres, the mural was created in 2024 by an all-female team of Island artists led by mural artist Alice Malia.

It tells the interconnected story of the Island's wildlife, industrial heritage and innovation, linking the successful reintroduction of the white-tailed sea eagle with East Cowes' long-standing engineering legacy.

Supported by Arts Council England, Forestry England and the Isle of Wight Council, the project was managed by the council's Area Regeneration Manager, Ross Edmunds.

The new onboard displays explore the mural in greater detail, beginning with the white-tailed eagle, which returned to the south coast after an absence of more than 200 years.

They also highlight the Solent's underwater habitats, including seagrass meadows that provide vital breeding grounds for fish and cuttlefish.

The mural also celebrates the Columbine Building's place at the heart of East Cowes' industrial history.

Over the decades, the site has been associated with major engineering achievements, including the development of the hovercraft and the production of the Black Arrow rocket, the first British rocket to successfully launch a satellite into orbit.

Today, the building remains a working industrial site and is home to Wight Shipyard Co, where modern vessels continue to be designed and built.

The shipyard's work, including Red Jet 6 and Thames Clippers vessels, also features within the artwork.

The original mural design by Alice Malia has been adapted for the onboard display by Red Funnel graphic designer Matt De'Lacy-Harrison, with production and installation funded by the ferry company.

Alex Minns, the Isle of Wight Council's Service Director for Community Regeneration and Economy, said the project showcases the best of the Island:

"This project captures the very best of the Isle of Wight.

"It celebrates our wildlife, our creativity and our history of innovation.

"The signage shares that story onboard Red Eagle, giving residents and visitors alike the opportunity to connect with the Island's UNESCO Biosphere status and the remarkable legacy of the Columbine Building from the moment they arrive."

Red Funnel Chief Executive Fran Collins said the mural had become a source of pride for the local community:

"Since it was unveiled in 2024, Alice's artwork has become a real point of pride for the community, and we're incredibly proud to display the mural onboard Red Eagle.

"As Red Funnel enters its 165th year serving the Isle of Wight, it feels more important than ever to celebrate the people, places and stories that continue to shape East Cowes."

Artist Alice Malia said researching East Cowes' rich history had been fascinating and described it as an honour to showcase the area's past and present achievements through the artwork.

She added that she was delighted Red Funnel would help passengers gain a deeper understanding of the mural and the stories it tells about the Island's heritage, wildlife and innovation.