ST MICHAEL'S WAY

Kurt Jackson's work embraces an extensive range of materials and techniques including mixed media, large canvases, and relief work. To quote Jackson: “In Cornwall my subjects are mostly places I know well, that I visit over and over again – certain areas of coast, moorland and valleys. I also work on projects, usually one a year, which are either based on a particular aspect of Cornish culture or on a distinct track of countryside. Capturing a fleeting impression doesn’t interest me. In all my paintings the aim is to convey my feelings and sense of awareness in that particular environment."

Kurt Jackson's paintings are fluent, dynamic and exciting, resulting from a working method that is both challenging and intense. He is undoubtedly most famous for his plein air paintings of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. However his painting continues to take him abroad and further afield.

Kurt Jackson has worked with a number of charities, raising money and awareness about their work, they include: Survival International, Greenpeace, Oxfam, VSO, Water Aid, Cornwall Wildlife Trust and the Woodland Trust.

Jackson’s work is a powerful response to his environment; to quote Nicholas Usherwood, 2003 [editor of Galleries and chairman of the International Art Critics Association] “… a powerful unity of vision and with genuine claim to be amongst the most interesting British artists working with nature at the present moment.”

INTRODUCTION

Throughout Europe there is a network of pilgrim routes, which lead to one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in the world – the Cathedral of St James in Santiago de Compostela, North West Spain. St Michael’s Way is one of these routes. It lies between Lelant, in St Ives Bay, and Marazion in Mount’s Bay, (going from Lelant to Bowl Rock, on to Ludgvan, then via either Lower Quarter or Gulval to Marazion before finishing in St Michael’s Mount). Travellers, particularly from Ireland and Wales, have used these routes since prehistoric times, wishing to reach the continent without having to risk the dangers of the sea passage around Land’s End. These travellers included many missionaries, and as a consequence, Cornwall was converted to the Christian faith. Throughout Cornwall, hilltop sites were dedicated to the Archangel Michael and following this custom the distinct and commanding islet in Mount’s Bay became not only an influential trading port but also a place of religious significance and pilgrimage.

St Michael’s Way has been developed by Cornwall County Council, inspired and guided by Bredereth Sen Jago (the Cornish Pilgrims of St James) and the Cornish Bureau for European relations, as part of the Council of Europe’s European Initiative. Accompanied by Caroline, a winter’s day was spent walking the route. 172 drawings resulted from this walk, as well as Caroline Jackson’s film – which will be shown during the private viewing. From these exploratory beginnings a series of paintings was made by revisiting over and over again localities along the route. Jackson captures the essence of this area of Penwith with his depictions of Knill’s Monument, Longstone Downs, Trencrom, and the wild landscapes of Rosepeath and Truthwall. In this exhibition Jackson delights us with his latest project where he has rediscovered the artistic heritage created by the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

Louise Jones