Combining Ditton's two passions, the idea was to paint the boat's hull in a coating that would change colour as the temperature changed and which would respond to wind, rain and sunlight in a similarly dramatic way. Rain for example, will produce different spots of colour on the trimaran's hull.

Ditton will achieve her aim on September 5 when Shockwave goes on display in the grounds of London's Chelsea College of Art and Design, next to Tate Britain at Millbank. While on display, Ditton plans to live on the vessel as a "performance art". Poised at a 45infinity angle, as if surfing down a huge wave, fan heaters will play over the hull throughout the exhibition to increase the surface temperature, so various images on the hull will be revealed.

"Using the innovative paint technology being developed by Blakes Paints R&D I'm convinced Shockwave will be an impressive piece of fine art, " commented Ditton.