I AGREE with John Cumberland’s views on the genius of Norman Cornish (HAS, Aug 13) and love his work, especially so as it reminds me of my Spennymoor childhood.

But I have to disagree with John about Tracey Emin.

She is a truly gifted artist with a phenomenal output of work including sketches, watercolours, oils, sculpture, photography, appliqué, installations and much more.

Many people know her only for her more unusual works, such as the famous bed, but look beyond that and you will be amazed. I went to her retrospective exhibition of 20 years work in 2008 and it was staggering.

One room was filled with huge canvases – what we might call traditional painting – and they were absolutely beautiful.

Her MA from the Royal College of Art was in painting, and she is now Professor of Drawing at the Royal Academy. She has more than proved herself in traditional art, so need not apologise for the more alternative works.

Geoff Carr, Aycliffe Village.