21. Sophie Dixon on the People’s Darling

Visual artist Sophie Dixon on a Northumberland heroine and the film she inspired

On 7 September, 1838, a lighthouse-keeper’s daughter – Grace Darling – spotted shipwrecked survivors clinging to the rocks of the Farne Islands, Northumberland. After Grace and her father defied a raging storm to rescue them in an open rowing boat, Grace became a national – and international – celebrity, and was awarded the RNLI’s Silver Medal for Gallantry.

Visual artist Sophie Dixon talks to 200 Voices about how she used a game engine and 3D modelling to give a 185-year-old story a modern telling. Her short film, Grace, explores how, for the lady of the lighthouse, the blinding glare of media attention became too much.

Watch the film here or go to https://www.grace-darling.film/

You can learn more about Grace Darling at the RNLI Grace Darling Museum

Read more about Sophie’s work here or visit https://sophie-dixon.com/Info

200 Voices is produced by Adventurous Audio for the RNLI  

Interview by Adventurous Audio 

Soundtrack composed and performed by Jon Nicholls  

The RNLI is a charity celebrating 200 years of saving lives at sea - find out more at RNLI.org/200