Exhibition - Stu Anderson

Storytelling through painting: Dowr Tamar- exploring the historical and contemporary narrative of the tidal Tamar through a series of artworks.

The River Tamar has been a historical divide between Devon and Cornwall for centuries. Over the years, it has been a vitally important link for the local economy. It connected the area with the rest of the world. The communities that have grown up around the river have been integral to its rich heritage.

The paintings are part of a project of a series of works. These works are based on travels along the River Tamar from the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash to the viaduct at Calstock. The travels were carried out in a traditional ‘Cornish Crabber’ Gaff Rigged Cutter- ‘Stargazy’, and walking the route. Through concepts such as in situ sketching, dialogical practice and sensory ethnography, this project explores the historical and contemporary human narrative along the river and how it has shaped history along its route.

Much of the river is embedded in the paintings. For example, the initial sketches for the concept were drawn using reed pens cut from the banks of the Tamar at Halton Quay. The ‘Canvas’ is made from old sails from variety of boats that have sailed on the river. One of the canvases is made from an old fore sail of ‘Stargazy’ herself.

Stu Anderson is a St Germans based artist specialising in paintings and sketches of travels and observing life. He trained at South Devon College Art School under renown Cornish abstract artist John Chambers and is currently studying for an MA in Fine Art at Falmouth University.

These works were exhibited at ‘Tunes in the Park’ at Port Eliot. If you are interested in any of the works (they are for sale) please refer to the contact details below and get in touch.