< Discussion

Post St Ives Art

Any active artist who has moved to Cornwall or is born here becomes part of a ‘Post St Ives’ era on the Cornish art scene. This romantic label and position is a very comfortable rut to sit in, especially if your work is selling like hot cakes.
I would like to suggest that it is time for this to change. Whether this can happen spontaneously or whether we need some harsh criticism or a gentle push I am unsure. The fact is; when art history is repeated as often as it is in Cornwall in the 21st century, parody no longer has its satirical bite.
We need a critic who is willing to speak out about the kind of work shown in Cornwall at the present time.
The canon will not rise or develop until we are making work true to ourselves and of our time.
The ‘sentimentality’ of Cornish work has to be banished if we are to ever be taken seriously not just as local but global entities. William Scott, Barbara Hepworth, Patrick Heron et al came down here with the intention of creating individual work, not a monarchy of art where the mantle of good art is passed down via generations as the Duchy is for theWindsors’.

Marilyn Middlemiss 2006

louise fox & marilyn middlemiss have been awarded a Go and See bursary from NAN -

NAN (Networking artists networks)
Established in 2002, the NAN initiative is steered by a UK-wide Artists' advisory group. Recognising the vital role networking holds in supporting artists' development, the initiative aims to facilitate exchange, dialogue and collaboration amongst visual artists, whatever their practice and location. NAN works in partnership with artists' own projects to offer a focus for critical exchange. Through research and mapping generated by events, artists' bursaries and campaigns, NAN seeks to enhance awareness of the value of artists' initiatives and artists' changing professional needs.

more info www.a-n.co.uk

more about lizzie ridout front room project as published in an