Cornwall Contemporary, Penzance

This is a lovely shop in Penzance which is definitely worth a look if you want to see beautiful and interesting art.  While much of it is inspired by Cornwall or made by artists based in Cornwall, you will find a wide range here.  They have a great website that is worth a look.  

The gallery will feature specific artists and have exhibitions for them, but they also have a wide range of works by other artists on display at any one time.  It's definitely worth a browse and I enjoyed seeing works by local artists I am already familiar with, like Megan Gant, Sophie Carter and Craig Underhill.  I also enjoyed seeing work by Jim Moir as I follow him online and enjoy his bird inspired pieces very much, as well as the cutting humour of his computer art as Jim'll Paint It.  But then, humour is what he is most famous for.

It is also really nice to have the opportunity to wander around a historic old building.  As a historic building, access is not the easiest in places.  There are no lifts in a building like this and no ramps.  The stairs become progressively more difficult as you go on.  On the ground floor, there are a couple of easy steps up, then a staircase to the first floor.  The stairs to the second floor are part staircase, part ladder and there is a lower height area to negotiate as well.  You will need a certain level of physical ability to navigate there, but it is these quirks that form part of the historical charm in a building such as this.  I don't know that there is any easy way around it.  The view from the second floor is also lovely, across the neighbouring roofs.

The gallery was having work completed at the time I visited as they are having an additional space in the basement opened to the public to display ceramics and sculptures.  I look forward to visiting this space as the photos online look fun.  This will be open from next weekend.

Places like this are so important in promoting and representing artists.  I must admit though, I always feel a little like an interloper as I am not there to buy.  I mean, I would if I could....  I just want to see the art and soak it in.  Here the art is displayed, so that you can picture it in your own home.  Its about your response to it, how it makes you feel and less about all the other things.  And that's OK.  Why wouldn't we want more beauty in our lives?

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