Western Morning News (Saturday)
Celebrities show artistic talent with Cornwall artworks
AHOST of celebrities – including TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh, pop legend Toyah Willcox and Bafta-winning actress Katherine Parkinson – have been painting Cornwall-themed artworks which are being auctioned off for a mental health charity.
Cornwall Mind has been working with John Dyer, one of the UK’s bestknown Cornish artists, to create the unique art auction.
Those contributing also include singer Kim Wilde, Poldark actress Lily Dodsworth-Evans and Cornwall’s own comedian Kernow King, joining some of the UK’s foremost contemporary artists in donating more than 100 pieces of artwork in aid of the mental health charity.
The ‘who’s who’ of artists supporting the event includes acclaimed sculptor Tim Shaw RA, abstract artist Anthony Frost, Philip Lyons, Alasdair Lindsay, Emma McClure and Gary Long.
Going live between April 16 and April 25 the online auction will raise muchneeded funds for Cornwall Mind’s vital work supporting people living in the county who are struggling with their mental health.
The auction theme of “What comes to Mind when you think of Cornwall?’ has led to a wide range of images.
Comedian Joe Lycett has donated his portrait of Martin Clunes, singer Kim Wilde has painted a scene from a family surfing holiday, while Katherine Parkinson has produced two memorable portraits of the Duchess of Cornwall, including one with the Cornish phrase ‘proper job’.
Katherine, who starred in the hit TV series The IT Crowd and Doc Martin, was the inspiration behind the auction. She said: “I love Cornwall and am so proud to have Cornish DNA, and know that art has a valuable role in mental health.”
Lily Dodsworth-Evans jumped at the chance to get involved and donated a painting of St Ives harbour. She said: “More than ever with the last year spent in lockdown and life on standstill, I’ve found myself relying on art as a way of releasing stress and staying creative.”
Other donors include artist Lucy Davies, ceramicist Paul Jackson, printmaker Lou Tonkin, chef Jack Stein, Fake or Fortune presenter Philip Mould OBE, explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison, sailor Pete Goss, pro surfer Alan Stokes, actor Bill Ward and singer Molly Hocking.
The online auction also features stun-ning photographs, ceramics, collages, a wood carving, printwork and even a first edition yellow striped teapot from design icon Cornishware, hand painted and donated by owner Karina Rickards.
Artist John Dyer, whose Falmouth gallery has sponsored the event, said: “I jumped at the idea to support this as there is such a huge need for more mental health support in Cornwall.
“The pandemic has created not only a physical health emergency but a mental health crisis too. Cornwall Mind is literally a lifeline for people, and I have seen many people I know and love benefit from mental health support.”
Cornwall Mind’s CEO Paul Reeve, said: “The art auction for Cornwall Mind is a fantastic opportunity to challenge the stigma of mental illness and raise the profile of Cornwall and Cornwall Mind.
“We have been very lucky to have the support of some very generous and talented people from the artistic community and from people who have public profile in other areas. So, dig deep and make your walls and someone else’s world a brighter place.”
To find out more and to bid on items visit: https://johndyergallery.com/pages/mind-cornwall-art-auction