Pamono Matt Rix, Maritime Scene with Sawfish and Steamship, Oil on Board, Framed

A naive folk art painting by contemporary British artist Matt Rix depicting a large grey sawfish, almost monumental in scale, swimming just below the surface of the ocean. It’s form is outlined in flat, solid tones that emphasize shape over detail. Above it, a grand steamship dominates the horizon, bellowing thick plumes of smoke that curl into the sky. The atmosphere is dramatic yet playful: the sky is painted in warm, glowing yellows, pierced by heavy dark clouds that give the scene a sense of tension and impending change. Rix’s folk-inspired style lends the work a timeless, almost storybook quality, where the proportions feel exaggerated and symbolic rather than literal, highlighting the sawfish and the ship as two powerful forces coexisting in a turbulent seascape. 

The painting is presented in a hand-painted black frame, the reverse lined with antique papers that lend an air of history and texture. The surface and frame both display a worn patina, enhancing the piece’s sense of timelessness and giving it the quiet dignity of a cherished maritime relic.

Ready to hang, this unique artwork is both a tribute to seafaring myth and a striking statement piece for lovers of folk art and maritime history.

Matt Rix is an emerging British folk artist celebrated for his original naive paintings, which possess a timeless charm that resonates with a wide audience. His distinctive work – featuring animals, naive portraits, and evocative nautical scenes – has attracted keen interest from interior designers and private collectors across the UK and internationally. Rix’s art enjoys a global following, with pieces sold to collectors throughout the UK, USA, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia.

Whether capturing the quiet dignity of animals, the character of a face, or the drama of the sea, Rix’s paintings invite viewers into a world that feels both familiar and fantastical.

Please see the photos as they show the painting on offer.

It measures approximately 55cm x 43cm overall.