What a whirlwind these past few months have been! As we bid farewell to Cornish summer for another year and embrace the crispness of autumn, it feels like the perfect time to reflect on recent months at Beside The Wave and look ahead to what’s in store.
We had an exciting and busy summer celebrating our Season of Art exhibitions which brought a rich variety of talent to the gallery. This began in July with captivating collections from Hugo Jones and Jon Doran. Hugo’s landscapes explored the interplay of light, the way it glistens on the water, and the subtle formation of the clouds above, while Jon’s work displayed a unique process of oil painting, blending a range of textures and effects to create a contemporary, fragmented outcome.
In August, Andew Tozer’s timeless ‘Belonging’ series whisked us to serene Cornish coastal scenes, brought to life through Andrew’s masterful approach to colour and light. This was followed by Emma Dunbar’s joyful and vibrant works, where everyday objects were infused with decorative flair. Summer at Beside The Wave concluded with a charming collection by Amanda Hoskin, which gracefully transitioned us from the last glow of summer to the warm hues of autumn.
Although Cornish summer draws to an end and tourists pack their bags, there is no rest here in the gallery! Autumn has begun with the launch of our ‘Close to Home’ exhibition and the gallery is brimming with life as thirteen of our painters, ceramicists, and jewellers, all based within a 25-mile radius of the gallery, have created collections paying homage to the local area surrounding Falmouth.
We are thrilled to announce the arrival of recent graduate Holly Sproul to the gallery. Holly’s ceramic practice explores a variety of firing techniques, using raw and natural materials foraged from walks in Cornwall.
Following their successful debut collections in June, Hazel Ashe and Hazel Oliver return with exciting new works. Hazel Ashe, after a sell-out first collection, has produced a stunning coastal series, from mini sunset landscapes and golden crashing waves to expansive seascapes of the North Coast. Hazel Oliver’s one-of-a-kind eco-resin cast ceramics are ever-more versatile, including bowls, orbs, and an impressive side table – all embedded with materials such as pine cones and oyster shells foraged from the coastal paths around Falmouth.
In the small gallery, we are showcasing anticipated new paintings by Sarah Wimperis and Peter Blodau. Sarah’s subtle yet detailed oil paintings feature landscapes within a 25-mile radius of the gallery, as the crow flies, from St Anthony in Meneage and Kennack Sands to a still life of sunflowers from her own kitchen. Peter, our only watercolour artist, works on location, capturing the dynamic light and atmosphere of the familiar, lively streets in Falmouth.
We have an excellent variety of new ceramic pieces from Paul Jackson, Catherine Lucktaylor and Charlotte Jones. Paul’s abstract statement pieces consist of sea-inspired functional works and playful jugs, vases, and bowls that possess a lively character thanks to their energetic, sinuous forms and colourful decoration. Catherine’s ‘Wild Cornwall’ Raku-fired pots, created using time-honoured techniques and embellished with vibrant crackle glazes, embody the untamed beauty of far West Cornwall. As for Charlotte’s ceramics, clay is used as a three-dimensional collage material and then abstracted colours, patterns and textures are layered through the pot, making each piece as unique as the dramatic Cornish coastline that inspires it.
In the window and along the left-hand side of the gallery, the walls are occupied with new works by Mary Mabbutt and Hugo Jones. Mary’s oil paintings capture charmingly detailed interiors of dining areas and bedrooms, where subtle interactions of colour create a visual dialogue, alongside serene exterior landscapes of Castle Beach, based on plein air sketches from the 1980s. Hugo’s work explores “small windows into little worlds”, expressing his deep reverence for the landscape. His latest collection effortlessly conveys the movement of wind through clouds, grass, and ocean as autumn approaches.
Our cabinets are beautifully stocked with new jewellery collections from Lucy Spink, Cat Stacey and Naomi Lewis, in anticipation for the changing seasons. Inspired by Cornwall’s ancient landscape, Lucy’s textured designs echo the forms of stone walls and standing stone. We are excited to showcase Cat’s ‘Birch’ collection, where each piece is crafted with meaning—the birch leaves symbolise new beginnings and hope, emblematic of the arrival of a new season. Naomi’s lost-wax cast jewellery, inspired by Cornwall’s coastal landscape, features wave-like rings and unique treasures such as aquamarine, forged into stunning forever pieces.
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Aquamarine Mini Dew Drop Ring, Silver
£280.00 Sold By: Naomi LewisSelect options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Silver Birch Leaf Bangle (Small)
£105.00 Sold By: Cat StaceyAdd to cart -
Talisman Sea Life Brooch
£245.00 Sold By: Lucy SpinkAdd to cart
It has been a joy to display such a diverse array of outstanding local talent, with a remarkable mixture of both emerging and established artists. Keep an eye out for upcoming highlights, including a solo exhibition from Jon Doran and an exclusive interview with Hazel Ashe ahead of the festive season!
– Mimi Hadley-Piggin