A Cruise Ship Commission for InTUItion

Creating artwork for a luxury cruise ship comes with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. When International Corporate Art commissioned me to design six bespoke Shellscapes© for Mein Schiff Relax, a joint venture between TUI and Royal Caribbean, I knew this project would push my creativity in exciting ways. 

The Vision

The client provided detailed renderings and specifications for two key areas onboard: Suite Dining and the X Lounge. For Suite Dining, they envisioned four round floral-inspired artworks, each with a distinct composition. In contrast, the X Lounge required two organically shaped pieces designed to be displayed on structural columns, mirroring each other to create balance and cohesion.

Bringing the Concept to Life

The creative process began with loose layouts, mapping out the composition based on the client’s vision. 

For the X Lounge artworks, I introduced an idea mid-process: elevating certain sections to create more depth. This sculptural approach added a dynamic, three-dimensional quality. 

The final collection included:

• Four round floral pieces (85cm diameter):

  • Maya – Cockle shells

  • Flower Power – Cockle shells

  • Frangipani – Cup shells

  • Hydrangeas – Cay Cay shells

• Two organically shaped artworks (140cm x 50cm):

  • Organic Flow – Screw shells on wood

    

    Maya

    

    

    

    Hydrangea

    

    Frangipani

    

    

    

    Flower Power

    

    Flow

    

    Flow

The Journey from Studio to Ship

Throughout the process, I kept in close contact with the team at International Corporate Art, providing progress updates with detailed images to ensure the final artworks aligned with their vision. Once completed, each piece underwent a final approval stage before being carefully packed into custom crates for secure transport from Miami to Europe.

While I haven’t had the opportunity to see the final installation in person, knowing that these pieces are now part of an international luxury cruise experience is incredibly rewarding. The interplay of organic materials, texture, and movement within these works feels especially fitting for a space that constantly moves with the sea.