I am delighted to be exhibiting my drawing Yow Yows (2026) as part of Anteros Art Foundation’s Folklore exhibition.
There is a superstition originating from my hometown, Sheringham, about the Yow Yows being the ghostly cries of fishermen. Sheringham’s beaches have an undeniable sense of place – from the sound of the waves raking the pebbles to the roaring North Sea squalls.
My inspiration comes from my Dad’s photo collection on the Rescue Wooden Boats website: Glyn Knowles Collection. My Dad was a fisherman in Sheringham in the 1960-1980s.
Dad says the boat is called Mizpah – Eric Wink and Trevor Halsey are the fishermen in the boat, and Alec Woodrow is helping to launch it.
In my drawing, there is a tall ship – this is inspired by the Ispolen, a Norwegian brig that was sunk off Sheringham in 1897.
Additionally, the portrait photos of fishermen taken by Olive Edis are referenced by the ghostly figure of a Victorian fisherman in the stormy sky.
I also want to mention the Sheringham drawings by Mick Bensley. There are several Mick Bensley drawings on the walls at home; he drew my Dad, and I’ve no doubt that those detailed pencil drawings were a huge influence on me pursuing illustration.
If you are intrigued and want to explore Sheringham’s fishing history further, The Mo Museum in Sheringham has further information.
Yow Yows is on exhibition at Anteros Arts Foundation, Folklore, 2-11 June, in Norwich.
Natalie Knowles 