Story Painters, Picture Writers

This is a post I’m surprised to be writing, to say that I’m part of a group show at the Kendrew Barn Gallery at St John’s College, Oxford, which runs from 20 January till 2 February, open 11-6 daily.

Surprised, because I’ve not really got used to thinking of myself as a painter and absolutely wasn’t expecting the invitation. Ultimately, it came about because I bought a small study by Kate Montgomery as part of the Artist’s Support Pledge during the first lockdown – a beautiful image of a woman asleep under a window that gives onto a lighthouse, called ‘Sleeping by the Sea’. We talked a bit by email about the importance of coasts and lighthouses; I told her that at night there are seven lighthouses visible from my cottage in St Just, and that I’d be keeping her picture in my room upcountry as compensation when I’m away.

Soon after, I needed an image for the cover of my last book of poems, Little Silver, and Neil at Bloodaxe agreed that one of Kate’s would be perfect; quickly deciding on the painting based on the study I’d bought. Kate then came to the book launch and started following me on Instagram, and then to my complete astonishment asked if I’d like to be part of a group show she was organising.

And the consequence is, it’s opening next week. It includes work by Julian Bell, Nick Bush, Gala Hills and Jamie McKendrick as well as Kate and me; all of us are either writers who paint, or painters with an interest in narrative, and we all in different ways explore the connections between picture and story-telling.

There’s a catalogue that gives a glimpse of what’s in the show at Story Painters, Picture Writers

But the catalogue is highly selective; do come in person if you’re anywhere near Oxford!