THE first exhibition of portraits painted by a County Durham pitman artist is to go on display later this year.
The exhibition by Norman Cornish, which is the first to bring together his portraits, is being put on as part of a series of events to celebrate 100 years since the birth of the popular artist and former miner from Spennymoor.
Staged at the gallery at the Gala Theatre, Durham, the exhibition will feature self-portraits from throughout his career, showing his stylistic development as well as insights into the man himself alongside informal images of his family and more formally commissioned portraits and sketches of local characters.
A self-portrait by Spennymoor artist Norman Cornish
A spokesperson for the exhibition said: "This exhibition is the first time that a selection of Norman Cornish’s portraits have been brought together to form a distinct collection.
"Inspired by the ‘unguarded moments’ of the people around him, it is evident that from a young age Cornish not only had the skill and technicality required of formal and traditional portraiture but also saw the value in painting everyday people going about their normal lives."
Cornish, who started painting thanks to the Sketching Club at the Spennymoor Settlement, was famed for capturing hard-lived but often colourful lives, despite the adversity faced by mining communities in the 20th Century.
The Settlement, which opened in 1931 with funds from the Pilgrim Trust, became known as the Pitman’s Academy and brought a glimmer of hope during the depression years to an impoverished community, broadening horizons and cultivating creativity.
As part of a programme of events around the exhibition at The Gala, primary school pupils from across County Durham will get to to see the paintings and take part in a workshop with poet Tony Gadd and illustrator Bethan Laker.
Painting pictures with words, they will work with Mr Gadd to create words and poetry which reflects Norman Cornish’s portraits.
A Norman Cornish portrait of an unknown Newcastle United supporter
A series of exhibitions and activities celebrating 100 years since the birth of Norman Cornish is now well underway across County Durham.
Exhibitions in Spennymoor’s Bob Abley Gallery and Bishop Auckland’s Mining Art Gallery show different aspects of Cornish’s work.
The exhibition at the Bob Abley Art Gallery in Spennymoor tells the story of his mural depicting the Durham Miners’ Gala, painted by the artist in 1963, charting the sometimes challenging journey from the commission of the nine-metre mural by Durham County Council to its installation at Durham’s County Hall, Aykley Heads where it currently remains.
In Bishop Auckland, the Mining Art Gallery, part of The Auckland Project brings a different perspective to the celebrations with a special exhibition demonstrating his deeply ingrained identity within the community, felt still by those whose history it mirrors.
Norman Cornish - A Slice of Life is co-curated by residents of Norman’s home-town of Spennymoor, alongside his children John and Ann.
In Spennymoor, where Cornish was born and lived his whole life, the Spennymoor Town Council’s refurbished John Kitson Archway within the town hall showcases a selection of the artist’s work.
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