Masterworks Museum will next month give the public a glimpse at an unseen side of the celebrated diver and explorer Teddy Tucker with an exhibition of his art.

‘Dive In: The Art of the Wreck’, to open on August 6, will highlight never before seen paintings of the shipwrecks Mr Tucker discovered around the island by the explorer himself.

Mr Tucker’s daughter, Wendy, said her father grew up in and on the ocean, building fitted dinghies with his father, grandfather and uncles.

“When he started diving on shipwrecks, his knowledge of sailing and boat construction was an asset,” she said. “Coming from a family of artists it was natural for him to paint the ships he had discovered.

“My mother, Edna and I felt Bermuda’s marine heritage, which played a very important part in all our lives and still does, should be shared and appreciated.

“A donation to Masterworks and the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute will be made from the proceeds of the sale of these paintings.”

Risa Hunter, Masterworks executive director, said the museum was thrilled to be able to showcase the work of the legendary marine explorer.

“A Bermudian diver and explorer, Mr Tucker has been recognised for his dedication to the discovery of over 100 shipwrecks surrounding Bermuda,” she said. “But the lesser-known story being illuminated in this exhibition is that he was also exceptionally creative.

“Merging his love for underwater exploration and art, Mr Tucker, through his research and sincere interest, reconstructed the ships that he discovered on Bermuda's reefs.

“This special exhibition at Masterworks intricately ties his artistic talent to our Atlantic marine heritage, giving the public an opportunity to draw connections to our Bermuda history through visual storytelling.”

Mr Tucker, a historian, lecturer and artist, discovered more than one hundred shipwrecks around Bermuda including the treasure ship San Pedro which contained the famous gold and emerald “Tucker Cross”.

‘Dive In: The Art of the Wreck’ will be shown at the Rick Faries Gallery at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art between August 6 and August 31.

For more information about Mr Tucker, visit www.teddytucker.com.