Cornwall

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-PL09-x1000-web.jpeg" alt="Flora: 150 Years of Environmental Change in Cornwall – curated by Kurt Jackson" class="wp-image-35406" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-PL09-x1000-web.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-PL09-x1000-web-800x800.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-PL09-x1000-web-400x400.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-PL09-x1000-web-768x768.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-PL09-x1000-web-500x500.jpeg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Artist Kurt Jackson needs no introduction to Muddy readers, but many will know him best from the exhibitions at his own, Muddy Award winning gallery in St Just, where his work has recently focussed on the recording of a particular place &#8211; Cot Valley, and the current Valency Valley, Glastonbury, or work supporting the seals and the RNLI. 



Something different then, for this new exhibition over at the <a href="https://penleehouse.org.uk/exhibition/flora-150-years-of-environmental-change-in-cornwall-curated-by-kurt-jackson/">Penlee House &amp; Gallery in Penzance</a> &#8211; a world away from the sleek eco-foundation building, and polished concrete floors where his works usually hang. For this exhibition, Jackson was invited to curate his own contemporary works, heavily informed by studied observation and deep respect for the natural world both newly created and from his back catalogue, presenting them alongside works by leading Penzance, Newlyn and Cornish-based artists from the past 150 years. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Cornwall-Kurt-Jackson-Penlee-Gallery-1-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Flora: 150 Years of Environmental Change in Cornwall – curated by Kurt Jackson" class="wp-image-35459" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Cornwall-Kurt-Jackson-Penlee-Gallery-1-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Cornwall-Kurt-Jackson-Penlee-Gallery-1-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Cornwall-Kurt-Jackson-Penlee-Gallery-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Cornwall-Kurt-Jackson-Penlee-Gallery-1.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Using works by Stanhope Forbes, Harold Harvey, Lamorna Birch, Laura Knight and Christopher Wood, among many others, Jackson presents work from Penlee House’s collections and the art of the Newlyn School in a new light, considering a century and more of environmental change.



It could be said that some of these Victorian works are somewhat staid and imposing in their gilt frames, a snapshot of a different time &#8211; seen them once, seen them all. But! In presenting them in answer to a new a question, e.g. a visual record of what was growing at the time that they were painted, the importance of the subject matter contained within gives them new life, and new relevance.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="993" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_Folder-1-PL21-993x1000.jpeg" alt="Flora: 150 Years of Environmental Change in Cornwall – curated by Kurt Jackson" class="wp-image-35404" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_Folder-1-PL21-993x1000.jpeg 993w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_Folder-1-PL21-794x800.jpeg 794w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_Folder-1-PL21-768x773.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_Folder-1-PL21.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 993px) 100vw, 993px" /></figure>



With the exhibition running across all of the downstairs gallery rooms, Jackson has space to in turn contemplate each of &#8220;the botanical as represented by the Newlyn School&#8221; &#8211; this is essentially various types of traditional flora and fauna found in West Penwith. Categorising the works by the botanical subjects, e.g. gorse, seaweed, lichen, flowers (including bluebells, and primroses) Jackson has then returned to familiar scenes from the works including Rebbulus Bridge, Treen Cliff, Kynance Cove and many more, to paint his own version of what remains now. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Cornwall-Kurt-Jackson-Penlee-Gallery-2-1000x667.jpeg" alt="Flora: 150 Years of Environmental Change in Cornwall – curated by Kurt Jackson" class="wp-image-35461" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Cornwall-Kurt-Jackson-Penlee-Gallery-2-1000x667.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Cornwall-Kurt-Jackson-Penlee-Gallery-2-800x533.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Cornwall-Kurt-Jackson-Penlee-Gallery-2-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Cornwall-Kurt-Jackson-Penlee-Gallery-2.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



The works are then presented side-by-side, with detailed notes and observations from Jackson; and it is not just the flora that has changed. Victorian ways of life have eased into modern ones, although the landscape in many remains, in shape, at least, very similar. Above, Jackson&#8217;s seaweed collectors look to be children on the beach &#8211; although they could well be <a href="https://cornwall.muddystilettos.co.uk/life/people/my-fave-places-ella-mclachlan-phoenix-providence-st-martins-isles-of-scilly/">Ella Mclachlan, Phoenix &amp; Providence founder</a>, collecting seaweed for her Scilly skincare; contrast this with Laura Knight&#8217;s horse, cart and women with baskets. 



Everyone&#8217;s favourite secret beach, Pedn Vounder, and one of the most photographed places in Cornwall, makes an appearance right at the very end. In Jackson&#8217;s version the sand is full of holiday-makers, beach goers and, no doubt, nudists (hard to tell from the angle he painted from), drawing the focus away from the rocks to the beach and water. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="995" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_PL68-995x1000.jpeg" alt="Flora: 150 Years of Environmental Change in Cornwall – curated by Kurt Jackson" class="wp-image-35407" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_PL68-995x1000.jpeg 995w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_PL68-796x800.jpeg 796w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_PL68-768x772.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_PL68.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px" /></figure>



In contrast, the Victorian version is a study in rock formation, where several rare species were once prevalent. The accompanying words note the changes, ending with a suggestion that &#8220;sea lavender may be vulnerable from climbers and walkers on the lower slopes&#8221; &#8212; sobering stuff, this endemic flowering plant is found only along this part of the coast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



Hats off to Kurt Jackson for a new and inspired way to look at and present this collection of works &#8211; it is a thought provoking exhibition and fascinating look at both his and the older works in a new light. Even if you think you&#8217;ve seen everything in the Penlee collection already, it&#8217;s worth a look.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="994" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_PL17-994x1000.jpeg" alt="Flora: 150 Years of Environmental Change in Cornwall – curated by Kurt Jackson" class="wp-image-35409" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_PL17-994x1000.jpeg 994w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_PL17-795x800.jpeg 795w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_PL17-768x773.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/cornwall/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2024/11/Flora-150-Years-of-Environmental-Change-in-Cornwall-–-curated-by-Kurt-Jackson-Muddy-Stilettos-Cornwall-November-2024-thumbnail_PL17.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 994px) 100vw, 994px" /></figure>



Good for: One for the fans of Cornish art work, where place is deeply relevant to the place in which the works are exhibited.



Not for: It&#8217;s all quite serious, and it&#8217;s pretty much all paintings. There is no real abstract work, no sculptures, and while he often makes use of film in his own gallery, there&#8217;s none of that here either.



The damage: £8 per adult, Friends of Penlee House, free.



Flora: 150 Years of Environmental Change in Cornwall – curated by Kurt Jackson &#8211; is at Penlee House in Penzance until 11 Jan 2025



Penlee House Gallery &amp; Museum, Morrab Road, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4HE

What’s on? Kurt Jackson at Penlee House, Penzance

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