Photo: The Bay by Gareth Edwards. Courtesy National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
A new collection of work by local artist Gareth Edwards is on show at National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth until September 5.
Light Speed Sea Spray has been developed by the acclaimed artist in response to a £2,500 bursary awarded by the museum last year.
The Visual Arts Bursary was launched as part of National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s commitment to the local artistic community and is open to those working in all forms of the visual arts.
Applicants are required to submit a proposal for an exhibition of their work based on the theme of small boat racing. Edwards’ enthusiasm and sustaining appeal was what won over the judges.
Photo: Start (to Infinity) by Gareth Edwards. Courtesy National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
"Edwards' paintings are built up in a series of subtle layers," explained Brian Stewart, curator of Falmouth Art Gallery, "paintings under paintings, each seemingly containing secrets that may never be disclosed."
Working from a studio in Falmouth, Edwards has had numerous solo exhibitions in London, Geneva, Nottingham and Cornwall as well as his work being represented in private collections in the UK and abroad.
"The outline brief for this project was 'small craft racing and the nature of competition'" said the artist. "In many ways I have focused on the second part – the nature of competition."
Photo: St Ives by Gareth Edwards. Courtesy National Maritime Museum Cornwall.
Using the water, light and spray of Falmouth Bay as a starting point, Edwards has created works in which layers of marine ply, canvas and steel are built up to form multi-panel surfaces.
What he describes as "fluid gestural marks in oil paint" glide about on top of these surfaces vying for attention in a manner inspired by the different speeds and directions of tactical racing.
"Viewers are encouraged to track across the surface rather than 'into' an atmospheric distance to follow marks and directions, to feel the competitive strategies deployed by the crews of these small sensitive crafts, as they in turn compete with the elements of light, speed, sea and spray," added the artist.
The show can be seen in National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s special exhibition gallery.
