Creative Cornwall in words and pictures

A new exhibition ‘The Alchemy of Granite’ at the Cornwall Campus in the library foyer has a selection of original art works by British surrealist artist and writer Ithell Colquhoun. It is the first time that the artworks have been exhibited and will run until 24 July at the Cornwall Campus and then until 7 August at the Cornwall Centre in Redruth. The exhibition also includes photographs on folklore themes, literatures and oral history interviews covering many aspects of Cornish mysticism. The oral history looks at some of the various ways in which people see Cornwall as mystical place. Elements of the exhibition also focus on how folklorists, poets and novelists have a tendency to use magical places such as stone circles to support the perception of Cornwall being a place heaped in fables and mystical goings on.

The international conference which compliments the writing event and exhibition forms part of a research project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). Dr Shelley Trower, research fellow on the project, said "We're delighted to have such a great range of international speakers talking about all aspects of mysticism, myth, and nationalism, from Cornwall to Tasmania! The exhibition also makes available extracts from a wide range of literature, from poetry to romances, indicating just what a wealth of mystical ideas can be found even within Cornwall. It's already attracting a whole range of people, from specialists to the simply curious, and we hope that many more people will visit over the next two weeks."

If interested in attending the writers talk on Friday 23 July, contact s.j.trower@exeter.ac.uk to find out more about the event which starts at 6pm is free of charge and will be held at the Cornwall Campus, Penryn.