ABOUT 400 people attended a memorial lecture celebrating the life of Pitman Painter Norman Cornish.

His biographers Dr Bob McManners and Gillian Wales captivated the audience at Spennymoor Town Hall in County Durham, on Sunday, September 14, with their informative tribute to the celebrated local artist.

The pair, who wrote a biography of the artist, The Quintessential Cornish, focused on Mr Cornish as a person, as well as his art.

They analysed some of his most famous works and discussed how his life experiences influenced his art.

Dr McManners, of Bishop Auckland, said: “People always try to categorise Norman, as they do with all artists.

“However, it is impossible to do so because he really was a one-off. Throughout his life he stuck very faithfully to tried and tested techniques that he used to great effect.”

Describing himself as an artist who happened to be a miner, Mr Cornish worked underground for 33 years, before deciding to pursue a full time career as an artist in 1966.

He spent his life painting images of North-East pit communities and, along with fellow County Durham artists, such as Tom McGuinness, he became known as one of the Pitman Painters - despite his strong dislike for the name.

He died on Friday, August 1, at the age of 94.