The Art
Mixed media portraits
Portraits depicting real Titanic passengers, where the artwork itself is the artifact.
A new art genre, created by Dirk Strangely
Artifactism™
Historical artifacts are not just included. They become the art itself.
A contemporary art movement in which genuine historical artifacts are physically incorporated into visual works, often as pigment or material, creating original pieces that blend historical legacy and creative expression.
The medium is not paint alone. Each portrait in the Souls of the Titanic series includes authenticated Titanic coal and is constructed using 1912 era paper and 24k gold leaf, transforming history into a tangible, collectible artwork that is itself an artifact.
Through a process called levigation the recovered coal becomes a high quality pigment. It is used in the eyes of each subject, and in the signature. The result is not a painting about history. It is a painting made of it.
How it works
The Artifact
Authenticated materials
Authenticated Titanic materials embedded within each piece, on paper made in 1912, finished with 24k gold leaf.
The Music
Original compositions
An original composition paired with each portrait, and a live string quartet performing Titanic bandleader Wallace Hartley's repertoire.
The Experience
An immersive dinner
An annual dinner recreating the Titanic's final first class meal, held on the anniversary of the night the ship struck the iceberg.
Where it began
Souls of the Titanic
Artifactism™ was founded in this series. Twelve portraits of real people who sailed on the RMS Titanic, each made with authenticated coal recovered from the wreck.