Emerson Mayes
Harrogate-born artist Emerson Mayes is a director of the visual arts charity, New Light. His work is included in many public and private collections worldwide, including the House of Lords and the National Trust.
What’s your first Yorkshire memory?
Being on the farm where my uncle worked, particularly at harvest time. All the family would pitch in and help, from grandparents, to parents, aunts, uncles and my brother. The farmer’s wife would bring us tea and her “infamous” cheese scones. They were so infamous, I remember one of my uncles popping his under his hat to hide the evidence of not eating it. It’s either that or playing cricket somewhere. I do vividly recall a terrific cover drive my Mum hit on Scarborough beach, which took out a woman who was riding on a donkey.
What’s your favourite part of the county and why?
Probably where I live, as it has everything. Harrogate is such a gem, with good transport links to the bigger cities and London. Yet within twenty minutes you can be immersed in some outstanding landscape.
What’s your idea of a perfect day, or perfect weekend, in out in Yorkshire?
I’ll go for culture and then nature. I’d spend Saturday visiting some of the great art galleries we have in the area. There are some fantastic, if understated, commercial art galleries... for example 108 Fine Art always strive to put on interesting shows. Then a lazy lunch in Harrogate before a visit to the Mercer Gallery. If time allowed, I’d pop over to Leeds too, as Leeds City Art Gallery is always a joy to visit (and it brings back memories of my time at university there). Sunday would be spent with my brother fly fishing on the Nidd, which usually results in him revelling in the fact that he has had more success than me.
Do you have a favourite walk – or view?
I actually don’t think I could pick a favourite, as there is just too much choice. Hackfall Woods and the surrounding landscape would have to be up there though.
Which Yorkshire sportsman, past or present, would you like to take for lunch?
It would have to be a cricketer, but again it is difficult to select just one, as we have such a large number of world class players to chose from; past, present and future. It might be a cliché but I’d probably go for “Sir” Geoffrey Boycott, as I’m sure he’d be good value.
Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, past or present, would you like to take for dinner?
If it’s not taking too many liberties with the question, I’d have loved to have spent some time with the poet Ted Hughes. When I hear his voice on the radio, it always sends a shiver down my spine, so to have that experience first hand would be hard to turn down. If I’m not allowed Ted, I’d love to take Alan Bennett for High Tea at one of the grand Harrogate hotels. Simply seeing what he made of some of the elderly Grand Dames of Harrogate would be a treat. I know he’s already done it for TV with Dinner at Noon in 2009, but to have that one to one would be a pleasure.
If you had to name your Yorkshire hidden gem, what would it be?
Sorry to be a bit repetitive, but I do think we have some fantastic small galleries that just aren’t shouted about enough, so I’d go for the Zillah Bell Gallery in Thirsk. It’s an independent gallery that shows top quality work from renowned artists including a fantastic selection from Norman Ackroyd RA CBE, a brilliant Leeds-born printmaker whose work is collected worldwide.
What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?
The blend of landscape and personality. There seems to be a certain level of quiet self-belief in most Yorkshire people that, combined with the beautiful landscape, make it a special place to live.
Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?
I think Samuel’s Restaurant at Swinton Park is one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Yorkshire, with food to match. Felicity and Mark Cunliffe-Lister have done such a fantastic job of making Swinton Park a dream destination.
Do you follow sport in the county, and if so, what?
I try to keep an eye on most of the Yorkshire teams. My dream was to play cricket for Yorkshire, but I soon realised I was far better at painting than I was at playing cricket, so I follow Yorkshire CC. I have a brother and nephew who are dyedin-the-wool Leeds United fans, so I’m never very far away from knowing exactly what’s happening there either – and that always seems to be a lot!
Do you have a favourite food shop?
Although food plays a large part in my life, I’d be lying if I said I had one particular food shop that I would call a favourite.
Who is the Yorkshire person you most admire?
It may sound a bit cheesy and I know I’m cheating again, but I’m going to say my family... we’re all still very close and I admire every single one of them in a different way and for a different reason.
How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or for worse, in the time that you have known it?
I think it’s changed for the better as we’re getting more aware that we are good at many things... look at the success Yorkshire athletes had at the London Olympics. Plus we have some great cultural venues and institutions. I really do believe that nostalgia is a dangerous thing and we have to look ahead and not keep looking over our shoulder into the past.
If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, where would it be?
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal... it’s not many people who have a World Heritage Site on their doorstep.
What are you working on at the moment?
As a director for the charity New Light, this is a particularly busy time as we’re currently open for entries for this year’s Prize Exhibition. This gives Northern visual artists a chance to win over £12,500 in awards plus the opportunity to show their work at the Bowes Museum, the Mercer Gallery and in London. On a more personal note, my main project is a solo show in London this September. The work will be Scottish-based so I will have to spend quite a lot of this year in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland... life can be hard at times!