Wilhelmina Barns-Graham

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham with 'Rock Form' 1954 (Western Morning News) © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

WBG with ‘Rock Form’ 1954 (Western Morning News) © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

Our latest collection was inspired by the work of artist, Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. The Penwith painter used sensitive linear marks to illustrate her coastal surroundings, working in rich and soft natural shades that reflect the landscape through the seasons.

Linear Development Blue 1978 mixed media on card 13.1 x 20 cm © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

Linear Development Blue 1978 mixed media on card 13.1 x 20 cm © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

Amy, manager at our St Ives shop, fondly remembers Wilhelmina popping in to chat about our latest prints and colours.

She was constantly inspired by the Cornish coastline and particularly the waves and occupants of Porthmeor Beach

Untitled [Tumbling Squares] c1964 oil on canvas 35.6 x 30.3 cm © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

Untitled [Tumbling Squares] c1964 oil on canvas 35.6 x 30.3 cm © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

WBG Porthmeor Studios 1947 © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

WBG Porthmeor Studios 1947 © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

To find out a bit more about this incredible artist, we spoke to Geoffrey Bertram, the Chair of the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Charitable Trust

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham stepped off the train in St Ives on a wet March evening in 1940. She quickly met other artists in the area including Ben Nicholson, Naum Gabo, Borlase Smart, and Bernard Leach, who was to become something of a father figure for her.

Modernist British art was making progress in this small Cornish town and Willie, as she was known, fit right in. She stayed there for the rest of her life, working in the Porthmeor Studios initially before buying a house in the Barnaloft Piazza in 1963.

She was constantly inspired by the Cornish coastline and particularly the waves and occupants of Porthmeor Beach that she could watch from her sitting room widow that overlooked it.

The colours of the landscape created her palette, the forms shaped her images. Her heightened sense of colour, brought about in part through her synaesthesia, resulted in her making vividly dynamic paintings.”

Night Walk (Porthmeor No.5) 1999 acrylic on paper 58 x 76.8 cm © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

Night Walk (Porthmeor No.5) 1999 acrylic on paper 58 x 76.8 cm © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

WBG Porthmeor Studios. painting on easel dated 1957. Photo published 1962 (Cornish Magazine) © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

WBG Porthmeor Studios. painting on easel dated 1957. Photo published 1962 (Cornish Magazine) © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

 

Detail of Linear Image (Sea and Boat), 1985-88, mixed media on card, 27.3 x 19.8 cm © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust

 

We’re very grateful to the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust, who have kindly contributed to this text and given permission for us to use all featured images.

The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust was founded by Willie in 1987, but only became fully active upon her death on 26 January 2004. The Trust exists to enhance the reputation and understanding of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham as one of Britain’s most significant 20th century artists, and through her legacy supports young people and other individuals to fulfil their potential in the visual arts.

www.barns-grahamtrust.org.uk