link 15 THE ART OBSERVER August 2009 Romiley based artist Alan Knight has been including Cornish scenes for several years. Alan’s work explores the various facets of Cornish life; “I roam around quite a bit and seek not only the coastal subjects but also interi- ors”. Whitewashed cottages, rolling hills and quaint harbours become equally as captivating subjects as the sea. After being struck by the strong light on an initial trip in 2001 to Polperro, Alan has returned every year, exploring new villages, “places such as Coverack, Goran Haven, Mousehole and Mevagissey on the south coast. That area around St Just is beautiful with the tidal creeks. Helford is a jewel as is Portloe, a recent discovery. Of all the villages I’ve painted, Polperro would be my favourite with its marvellous arrangement of old cottages, painted mostly white, huddled protectively around the sleepy harbour.” Alan’s scenes of Cornwall are proving enduringly popular with North West collectors who, like the artists, welcome the contrast between these light drenched landscapes and the hectic Manchester city scenes. Like many of the artists the Cornish seascapes allows Alan to exploit a new colour palette but whilst the subject matter differs the technique remains the same, “after many years labour one arrives at a personal handwriting that others recognise as truthful and authentic.” of pleasure and painting; Martin particularly enjoys the beach cafes and the Barbara Hepworth museum, “I’m very fond of the Barbara Hepworth museum, the garden and the little summer- house in which I imagine Hepworth taking a siesta after a good day sculpting.” Colin T. Johnson is another St Ives resident with North West ties, first visiting Cornwall dur- ing the summer of 1956 when he hitchhiked from Manchester, drawn like many to the artists community that was being estab- lished there. He returned most summers after that, finally moving to St Ives in 1986 and he continues to find his inspira- tion in the contrast between the solid manmade structures of the harbours and piers and the untameable sea, enjoying the hard lines of the stone against the natural soft line of the water. Whilst Colin principally works with oils, recent works have included paintings on driftwood and other wooden structures, boxes and bowls. Collage is another aspect that he enjoys, mixing solid objects such as rope into his paintings. Colin creates pieces from working drawings, memory and imagina- tion, which give his work both a figurative and an abstract quality. Although Colin has been settled in Cornwall for nearly 27 years, he regularly exhibits in the North West. Like Alan Knight, Manchester born abstract artist Harry Ousey incorporated the Cornish vibe into his distinctive style. Harry Ousey (1915-1985) moved to Cornwall in the 1950s, the era associated with Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth and the St Ives School. He chose to distance himself from them, avoiding the politics caused by the split between the traditional and the emerging modernism, instead focusing on capturing the light and the landscape. Brian Stewart, curator of the Falmouth Art Gallery, which holds 24 Ousey paintings in its permanent collection, describes the artist as a more “solitary” figure, yet believes Harry Ousey’s work deserves the same recognition as “the St Ives greats” hanging his work alongside them. “The timeless quality of his work means it is never surpassed but rather should be seen as one of the highest achievements of the St Ives School.” Scenes of the Cornish landscape continue to appeal to the Manchester audience allowing our Northern artists to keep returning to this idyllic country- side. As Brian Stewart notes, the Northern landscape of the Pennines and Derbyshire share the same rugged, natural appeal that Cornwall boasts, which may go some way to explain the enduring link between these two places. St Ives became a popular destination for artists and holidaymakers alike after the expansion of the railway lines in 1877 and 1920. The St Ives Art Club was founded in 1890; the original clubhouse still stands on Westcott Quay and continues to function as the social base and exhi- bition space. In 1927 another group emerged, the St Ives Society of Artists who had a more modern style. After an initial visit in 1928 made such a vivid impression, Ben Nicholson and his then wife Barbara Hepworth decided to settle in St Ives. They, along with prominent Russian constructivist sculptor Nabo Gaum, became the centre for a blossoming artist colony, now referred to as the St Ives School. During the 1950s and 1960s the artist colony thrived with notable names such as Peter Lanyon, Patrick Heron, Terry Frost, Roger Hilton, Sven Berlin and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham producing work in Cornwall. In 1976 the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden was opened to the public, a year after her death. The artist community has continued to flourish in St Ives and in 1993 the Tate was opened, an architecturally stunning structure overlooking Portmeor beach. Colin T Johnson and Linda Weir, founder of MASA, both now live and work in St Ives. Liam Spencer, Sheila Meeks, Alan Knight and Martin Murrey among the Wendy J Levy artists who continue the trend of North West artists visiting and drawing inspiration from Cornwall. For further information on Linda Weir, Shelia Meeks, Liam Spencer, Martin Murrey, Alan Knight and Harry Ousey please visit www.wendyjlevy-art.com or contact the Wendy J Levy Contemporary Art Gallery. Factfile Liam Spencer, Landrover by The Sea Alan Knight, Grey Day, Falmouth Harry Ousey Martin Murrey, View from Treganna, St Ives Alan Knight, Dawn, Newlyn Docks