St Ives Tales

We are currently preparing for our first solo exhibition of 2014, 'Ann Winder-Boyle: St Ives Tales' (5th July - 30th August 2014). This will also be our first solo exhibition of work by Ann Winder-Boyle and, to mark this, the acclaimed mixed media collage artist has turned her focus to St Ives.

'Jolly Holidays', coloured ink drawings collaged onto vintage book cover with beeswax layers, h. 45 x w. 60 cm, Ann Winder-Boyle

Ann Winder-Boyle has become widely recognised for her selection in the Royal Academy Summer Show over five years and her feature on the BBC2 Culture show. Her work incorporates old books, ink drawings and beeswax and takes inspiration from stories and recollections from past and present to create images that at first glance appear to have come from early children’s literature. Reflective of an age of innocence they can at times be sentimental and amusing or have a much more sinister undertone.

The new collection for ‘St Ives Tales’ does not disappoint with playful images of life in the harbour town dotted with edgy scenes that demonstrate the trademark wit that has propelled this artist into the spotlight. Scenes include the historic Royal Blue Coach Service which ran in Cornwall from 1880 to 1986, a reaction to banning of dogs from the town’s beaches and a twist on Enid Blyton’s ‘Five Get Into a Fix’ – from a set of works from which two others were selected for this year’s Royal Academy summer exhibition.

“I have been enjoying holidays and exhibiting in St Ives for several years now. I grew up in Cumbria, more famous for its lakes than its stunning coastline and maritime history but as the great granddaughter of a local Pier master I guess I would always feel a connection to the sea.

“‘St Ives Tales’ is a collection of work based on the local area, historical texts, stories and articles from local press. Through these I have gained an insight into how the town has developed and what is ‘happening’ in the area with the aim of producing a body of work indicative of St Ives.” Ann Winder-Boyle, 2014.

‘Ann Winder-Boyle: St Ives Tales’ will open with a private view in the gallery, with Ann in attendance, on Friday 4th July, 6 - 8pm. Contact the gallery to RSVP.

All works from the show are now available to view on our website.