Newlyn School of Art Studio Practice show at Tremenheere March 2022

 Tremenheere had a brief show of work from students at Newlyn College of Art studio practice course. March 18-20, 2022

This show was very nicely displayed with unhung items in an overflow room.
Works had only numbers so names and prices were on  a couple of lists one could consult.
The college was very discreetly mentioned on the list and no details about the artists or tutors  were to be seen. Most of the students were women.

I felt it was quietly impressive - many landscapes that showed care and sensitivity and a few life drawings with movement indicated. There were a couple of people expressing grief.

What there was not was any politics, issues, eg feminism, LGBTQ, any sculpture or installation, any ceramics or textiles, any townscapes , geometry, photography, video, or text, any animals or participatory elements or performance or sound. Nothing shocking or surprising or garish or bright.
Is this just that these 28 students like subtle painting or were 28 such painters selected for the course?  

I overheard some of the tutors talking to students very gently and encouragingly and one told me that this is the norm - she had no experiences of male ego driven tutors reducing students to tears which I know can still happen at art colleges. This student had loved the course.

Is the Newlyn School itself becoming a ‘school’ of gentle poetic work based on observation?
Or was the covid year encouraging quiet study with no drama?

Anyway it was enjoyable and showed artists developing their individual sensibilities.
Let’s see what happens next year.

      'Face' Basil Towers

"Fresh Fish' Cetto di Letto

 

'Winter Toadsmore 4' Kathryn Chapman