Norman Cornish portraits go on display in Durham
By Kris Jepson
Artist Norman Cornish portraits have gone on display at Durham's Gala Theatre to celebrate his work 100 years after his birth.
Opening the gallery his son, John Cornish, told ITV News Tyne Tees "it's great. I think it will bring my father's artwork to more people than would normally see it".
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Cornish is famous for his rugged and gritty oil paintings of miners in the North East, but portraiture was also an important part of his practice.
The exhibition features 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.
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.
One lady who visited the gallery on it's opening day, Carol Taylor, said the works are very close to her heart.
She said "It’s part of my heritage. My grandad was a miner in Washington and worked down the pit from the age of 12 to 65, so it’s nice to see the pictures of them".
The 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 fascinating 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.
See also: North East Miners' artwork showcased in new Gallery
In Bishop Auckland, the Mining Art Gallery, part of The Auckland Project brings a different perspective to the celebrations with a special exhibition demonstrating Norman Cornish's 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, all guided by the gallery's curator Angela Thomas of The Auckland Project.