Greenfield Arts are looking forward to hosting an exhibition by a renowned and well-loved local artist. ‘Norman Cornish: A Man of Destiny’ will run from Thursday 10th October – Wednesday 11th December and chronicles the great determination and resilience he showed to become a professional artist.
The exhibition forms part of the Norman Cornish Centenary celebrations which is a year long celebration of his life and work. The artist’s family, in collaboration with galleries across the north east, have curated a series of exhibitions and events to take place throughout 2019 that focus on Norman’s life and work and how he captured the beauty in the everyday.
“Many of the ordinary but fascinating people who frequented these places are gone. However, in my memory, and I hope in my drawings, they live on. I simply close my eyes and they all spring to life”. Norman Cornish.
Norman Cornish was born on the 18th of November 1919 in the small town of Spennymoor. At the age of just 14, Norman left school and began work as a coal miner. From a very young age, Norman had always been passionate about drawing and painting and he soon became aware of the sketching club at the Spennymoor Settlement. Norman was accepted as a member at the age of 15, giving him the opportunity to meet other like-minded artists and ultimately offering him the opportunity to exhibit his work.
The Centenary has offered the opportunity and privilege to celebrate Norman’s life and work, the exhibition features personal quotes from Cornish and an interesting narrative that highlights key moments of his career and showcases work that was produced when materials or conditions were not always optimal.
Alongside the exhibition, events at Greenfield Arts include an Illustrated talk by Norman’s son-in-law Mike Thornton, Primary School workshops with daughter-in-law Dorothy Cornish, an artist in residence programme, a visual arts project, and sketchbook workshops inspired by his work. The exhibition will culminate in an exhibition response titled ‘Inspired by Cornish’ which will include a spoken word performance by poet Tony Gadd on 16th December 2019 at 13:00, the exhibition response will run until 20th December 2019.
This exhibition is part of the centenary programme. Other exhibitions and events are programmed throughout the year, please see normancornish.com for more information.
To find out more about ‘Norman Cornish: A Man of Destiny’ please see our website www.greenfield-arts.co.uk or contact our friendly team at info@greenfield-arts.co.uk or call us on 01325 379048
