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September 28, 2023 @ 10:00 am - October 18, 2023 @ 5:00 pm

HOME-EXHIBITION-CATALOGUE

Falmouth, a tale of two halves, from summer to winter, locals to tourists, calm to bustling, night to day, dockyard to town and land to sea. Falmouth is unique and conjures a wealth of history and personal memories to those fortunate enough to frequent it. This exhibition tells a familiar story in that setting, through the eyes of established Cornish artists and those further afield. 

There is a stark juxtaposition of Falmouth as you look across its sweeping hillside, from a quaint seaside town to an expansive working dockyard. Large, sturdy structures dominate a condensed area of the harbour whilst the intricate patchwork quilt of colourful homes envelopes the staggered town. The sun begins to set and the harsh lines of these stark realities begin to blur. Naval ships twinkle like seaworthy christmas trees and you can start to join the dots along to the streetlights and illuminated homes beyond. Wherever you are, a distant hum of life travels across the town and up the hills. With your windows ajar you are a part of this lively and amiable microcosm. 

This is not to say you cannot find peace amongst the everlasting companionship of Falmouth. There are beaches for the lonely and beaches for the solitary. Choose from the well trodden path or venture across the undulating rocks. Nestle your toes into the damp sand, feel the breeze caress the nape of your neck and watch as beads of light dance across the tepid ocean. Enjoy the tranquillity, soon, in weeks to come, this moment will feel different. A moist wind will gust past your cheeks, your body is swaddled but your toes are slightly damp, the air in your nostrils will clear with as much force as a peppermint sweet and the lapping water will be interspersed with crashing waves. 

There are sixty works in this exhibition, each with their own story of Falmouth. What does that landscape mean to you? What does it mean to the artist? For several of the artists that landscape is home, where they grew up or where they ventured to in later life. For you, it might echo nostalgic memories of past holidays or whisper promises of future visits. It is undeniably a place of captivating charm for every fortunate visitor or resident. Whether your children spent their holidays frolicking along Gylly Beach or your boat is moored amongst the jostling harbour, Falmouth is adept at evoking romanticised visions of summer. Its beauty transcends warmth and sun through to winter as the grey sky bleeds into the brooding sea below. Life continues even after the tourists are gone, you will spot familiar faces at the local pubs and the busy harbour diminishes to its regular seafaring occupants. Falmouth is a continuous tale, and these enigmatic moments continue throughout the seasons. This exhibition is a love story to the multifaceted character of Falmouth. – Words by Sophie Castle

Details

Start:
September 28, 2023 @ 10:00 am
End:
October 18, 2023 @ 5:00 pm
Event Category:

Venue

Beside The Wave
8-10 Arwenack Street
Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 3JA United Kingdom + Google Map
Phone
01326 211132
View Venue Website