Art and More in Southwest England: Part 3

Since we had gone about as far West as possible in the UK, it was time to turn East. Our first stop was FALMOUTH. Upstairs from the public library, in a building called “The Moors,” we found the Falmouth Art Gallery. And what a find it was.

From the invitation:

To the special exhibitions. One was called Making Faces and featured an array of portraits:

Heads by Ben Nicholson, 1933

Mrs Murkin-the gallery attendant by Philip Cox


Catherine Deneuve modeling Man Rays iconic lampshade earrings.

Photo by Man Ray

Hot Head by Mary Mabburt

King by Pablo Picasso, 1951

One in particular was a portrait of the local artist Charles Napier Hemy painted by John Singer Sargent.

Hemy moved to Falmouth in 1881 in search of a new subject and made the town his home for the rest of his life. He painted on boats which he converted into studios, and concentrated on the sea and fishing scenes. Hemy was Falmouth's first Royal Academician and one of the founding members of the first Falmouth Art Gallery. He became friendly with John Singer Sargent who painted his portrait when staying at the Hemy home in 1905. Apparently it took him only one hour to paint. The portrait was privately owned until 2009 when it was offered to the Falmouth Art Gallery for £285,000, which was considered below its market.

Other Art:

View from Tuke's Cottage by Peter Markey

Tuke's Cottage at Pennance, Swanpool by Keith Newstead, 2008

Brian's Brilliant Bike by Keith Newstead

Or this gem:

Study for The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse, c 1894

Continuing East, we passed the Dorset Martyrs at Gallows Hill in Dorchester. (sculpted in 1986 by Dame Elisabeth Frink who studied under Bernard Meadows who was Henry Moore’s first assistant.)

On to BOURNEBOUTH where we found Art:

and even a little band concert.

These whimsical creations are attached to the fence along the oceanview walkway:

The Russell-Cotes Art Museum and Gallery overlooks Bournemouth beach and pier.

Built in 1901, East Cliff Hall was presented by Sir Merton to Lady Russell-Cotes on the occasion of her birthday. 1901 was the year Queen Victoria died making this one of the last Victorians ever built. In 1907 they gave the house and collections to the city for a museum, which they continued to live in until their passing in 1920 and 21.

They had some nice stuff.

Phyllis by Louise Jopling (1843-1933)

Venus Verticordia by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1864

The Bather by Thomas Ronaldson, c 1930

Spray by Harold Williamson, 1940

Jezebel by Byam Shaw (1873-1919)

The Chosen Five by Edwin Long

Aurora Triumphant by Evelyn De Morgan, before 1886

The Butterfly (Ariel) by Luis Riccardo Falero, 1893

The Siren by Charles Zacharie Landelle, 1879

Midsummer by Albert Moore, 1887

There was also a fun display of work by Cleo Mussi:

Cleo Mussi

And a couple of parting shots from Bournemouth:

Always follow your dreams by Tim Ward, 2012

We stayed with Olwen and Roger in Salwayash, just north of Weymouth. And off of Weymouth is what amounts to an island with a connector. This is PORTLAND. Home of limestone that had been quarried and shipped to London for Buckingham Palace and New York for the UN Building, among other places. There in Tout Quarry is an enormous park of sculptures.

Weymouth from Portsmouth

Located in an industrial park, since it was an active quarry, this project has been going on since 1983 and continues to supply new sculptures. Artists from around the world go there to study and create.

carving classes

from Loire Valley

Anthony Gormly, the only name sculptor I recognized, contributed this beauty and yet, Marie and I could not find it.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE.

The drive back to Salwayash offered other views.

Portland from up the coast.

Our goal for the last day was to see the Cass Sculpture Park in CHICESTER. But, as we were not able to get directions from the visitors information, we never did find it.

We did, however, find the sculpture of Vincent Gray in the library across the street.