Boat by Katherine Knight

Katherine Knight’s photography of model boats and the stories about them made for a voyage of smooth sailing and long-lasting beauty. What struck me first was the gorgeous and unique packaging Goose Lane Editions (with WORK BOOK) offered this book, elevating its beauty from cover to texture of the pages within.

Like enjoying a visit to an art gallery of Atlantic Canada’s adventures at sea, from your own home, page after page invites the reader to an exploration of exhibits and talent. Complemented with stories from local Nova Scotian poet, novelist and educator Sue Goyette, model maker Jim Turple, and Fogo Island model maker Raymond Bursey through the memories of his daughter Eileen Newman, this book captures history, passion and artistry.

A re-imagining of Atlantic Canada at sea, Knight connects the heart to the sea by honouring the intricacies and delicacies of a water-worthy vessel. With some models so detailed to include to scale bunkbeds, fuel and water tanks that you can fill or drain, to a full harbour scene in an open tank, the time, effort and originality with each model is a true work of art.

“BOAT connects handmade models to stores and geographies: memory makers linking Atlantic people and places.”

Knight, photographer and filmmaker, opens the book with her own essay which provides insight as to her own connection and interest in dory’s, punt’s and the elements they face of snow and ice. On the surface, this is a tribute to ships of many shapes and uses while being layered perfectly with the creativity and stories behind each decision and memory.

Through generations of ship building, lost memories and builders, readers are taken on a journey from Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador to Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, to Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island to direct a spotlight on how such a miniature tangible item can invoke strong memories and inspire story-telling that deserves to be shared.

Greg Hiltz, a fisherman’s son, speaks to his favourite model of an offshore scallop dragger “Adventurer II” built by A.F. Theriault & Son. Taking 2350 hours to build at a large scale, Hiltz elevated it by making it completely radio-controlled. When finished, Hiltz took his model down to the Theriault shipyard, which prompted the request to rent it and it being appraised by the Smithsonian at $29,500. Connors Brothers in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick soon contacted him to ask if he’d build replicas of their own fleet of sardine and herring carrier boats and he accepted.

Blueprints for model boats are not easily found, Hiltz explained, so he began to draw out his own and has since collected 160 blueprints he makes available to enthusiasts who ask. Like with Hiltz, it’s clear through this book that Knight, too, wants to preserve the history of passing ships as beautifully as possible.

Like with Hiltz, it’s clear through this book that Knight, too, wants to preserve the history of passing ships as beautifully as possible.

“This book gathers my purpose-made model boat photographs, interviews and essays along with earlier black-and-white photographs from my archive of analog images,” Knight states. As we all know, a picture is worth a thousand words and hers do that and add a touch of heart and soul to them, too. A fantastic book for an Atlantic Canada historian, boat enthusiast and fisherman.

Katherine Knight is recognized for her landscape based photographic works and documentary films on art and culture.

In 2000, Knight received the Duke and Duchess of York Prize from the Canada Council recognizing excellence in Photography. In 2006, Knight founded Site Media Inc, to create films on artists and creative process in relation to experiences of place. Site Media’s award winning films have played worldwide through festivals, television broadcast and post secondary distribution. Knight’s photographic works are held in many public and corporate collections including the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, Museum London, Department of Foreign Affairs, Banff Centre for the Arts and The Canada Council Art Bank.

In conjunction with her art practice, Knight has held administrative posts as the Visual Arts Award Officer at the Canada Council from 1989-91 and as Dean of Fine Arts at Ontario College of Art and Design 1996-2000. Since 2000, Knight has taught in the Visual Art Department at York University where she is recognized for her innovative approach to blended learning.

Publisher: Goose Lane Editions with WORK BOOK (November 4, 2025)
Hardcover 8″ x 6″ | 160 pages
ISBN: 9781773104805

Sarah Butland

Website

I am a struggling artist, a challenging and challenged mother who always thinks she is failing, an emerging freelance writer and reporter, an author with my name on several books crossing genres and always hoping to find more readers who enjoy them.

I am also a successful artist, a wonderful and thriving mother of one, a reacher towards both people and dreams despite all of the turned backs and obstacles in my way. I am a thriving freelance writer and reporter, an author loved by enough readers to make it worthwhile and a discombobulated conundrum who loves to hear new music, tell new tales and meet new authors. And I’m doing something I always dreamed of doing – reviewing books to support others as well as myself and my family.