Stunning coastal landscapes crafted by an artist in St Ives to create a splash
Victor Bramley, a self-taught artist renowned for his iconic Cornish seascapes and landscapes, will see his works auctioned off at Hansons Auctioneers in Penzance on July 11. This significant event in the art world promises to showcase Bramley's personal expressions of Cornwall's rugged coastal beauty and the creative energy of the St Ives artistic colony during its golden era.
Born in Sheffield in 1933, Bramley left his industrial roots behind in 1959 to join the artistic community of St Ives, a town primarily inhabited by fishermen at the time. His artistic talents were soon recognized by the St Ives Society of Artists, and he became a member in 1961, joining the ranks of iconic modernist artists such as Patrick Heron, Barbara Hepworth, Paul Feiler, Terry Frost, and Sven Berlin. Bramley went on to become the longest-serving member of the society, exhibiting yearly with them until shortly before his death in 2014.
The 230-lot collection, consigned by Bramley's widow Bernadette, will feature landscapes from his travels around the UK and overseas, as well as works closer to his hometown, namely Cumbria and the Lake District. Among the pieces to be auctioned are depictions of local land and seascapes, including the Penzance lighthouse, Priest’s Cove in Cape Cornwall, views of St Just, and Virgin St in St Ives.
Darren Ashley, associate director at Hansons Auctioneers Cornwall, commented, "Victor Bramley's works cover many styles and genres, but they always focus on personal expression. This auction is a significant event in the art world, showcasing his iconic Cornish seascapes and landscapes and highlighting the influence of the St Ives artistic colony on 20th-century modern art and its impact on future generations of artists."
The auction at Hansons Auctioneers, Trinity House, The Harbour Saleroom, The Quay, Penzance, is set to be a memorable occasion, not just for art enthusiasts but also for those who appreciate the rich history and cultural significance of the St Ives artistic colony. Bramley's art career, marked by his immersion in the community during a pivotal time, his self-taught but prolific output focusing on Cornish themes, and his status as a longest-serving member of the St Ives Society of Artists, cemented his place in the mid-20th-century modern art movement in Cornwall.
- Bramley's transition from industrial Sheffield to the artistic community of St Ives, a settlement primarily known for its fishermen, was significant in shaping his unique 'folk art' style, reflecting his 'home-and-garden' surroundings and the Cornish coastal life in his artworks.
- Aside from the auctioned landscapes from his travels, Bramley's 'outdoor-living' inspiration is evident in pieces like the Penzance lighthouse, Priest’s Cove, and St Just, which showcase a vibrant 'lifestyle' that is deeply rooted in the rich history and cultural significance of the St Ives artistic colony.
