The hurly burly of excited visitors, the everyday comings and goings suddenly fell silent. Transport stilled. Activity of all kinds faded into the background. The natural world returned for a brief moment to stillness and equilibrium. Skies became clearer, brighter. The colours of nature sharpened and took on a new vibrancy.
The intensity of the natural world deepened in this interlude of restriction during the early spring of 2020. This interwoven network of life has been my starting point to try and capture the connections we usually share with our environment as we all refocus and re-evaluate our relationship with the natural world around us.
I was captured long ago by the 'otherness' of Cornwall, a magic that has drawn artists to its landscape and shores for centuries. Nowhere else have I found a 'light' that isn't merely an accident of geography, but has some indefinable quality adored by locals and visitors alike.
'Connexion' sets out to celebrate this relationship of light and landscape, through showcasing the seven bays of Padstow; local bays of rocky shore, sandy expanse and cliff, each with its own character and feel. Observing the differing perspectives of this inspirational landscape: from its magnificent vistas to the aquatic microcosm of sea life in tidal rock pools.
From green translucent seas, spray and white water, the exhibition guides you inland to woodland glades and moorland that are much a part of Cornwall's hinterland. Included in this original collection of paintings is a series of smaller, varied studies called 'side conversations', presented in complementary recycled frames to illustrate the environmental imperative of reuse and the rejection of waste.
'Connexion' will also include original music composed, recorded, and performed by the artist for the duration of the exhibition – holistically reconnecting humanity’s senses of observation, sound and experience through art.
“I hope you enjoy my journey of discovery of Cornwall and the environs of Padstow as much as I have enjoyed creating this body of original paintings” Ian Rawnsley, September 2024.
In the spirit of connections and making everyday matter, we have chosen Cornwall Hospice Care as our exhibition charity and aim to raise much needed funds through a raffle draw and by donating 5% of exhibition proceeds to the charity.
Meet the Artist, Ian Rawnsley, from 6pm on 5th September 2024.
