Norman Cornish

Norman Stansfield Cornish (18 November 1919 – 1 August 2014) is undoubtedly the most celebrated mining artist and one of the most sought-after contemporary painters in the country. For over 50 years his images of the miner's working life and his observation of social activities have intrigued an appreciative audience.[1]

Biography

Cornish was the last surviving member of the "Pitman's Academy" art school at the Spennymoor Settlement in County Durham in North East England.[2] A former miner,[3] he was known for his pictures of mining community life.[4] Other artistic contemporaries of Cornish from the Spennymoor Settlement included Herbert Dees, Robert Heslop and Tom McGuinness.[5]

Cornish started work as a miner in 1933, at the age of 14.[6] He continued to work as a miner even after his painting career was established, until he retired as a miner and became a full-time artist in 1966.[6]

Cornish was granted an honorary Master of Arts degree by Newcastle University in 1974,[6] and an honorary doctorate by Sunderland University in 2012.[7] He was a contemporary and friend of the artist L. S. Lowry.[7]

He was married to Sarah. They had two children, John and Ann.[8]

Legacy

The lives of Cornish and his miner-artist contemporaries inspired the play The Pitmen Painters.[2][9]

References

  1. ↑ "Norman Cornish Biography". © Robert McManners and Gillian Wales - normancornish.com.>
  2. 1 2 "Last 'Pitman painter' Norman Cornish dies aged 94". BBC News. 2 August 2014.
  3. ↑ "The Art of Norman Cornish". BBC News. September 2004. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  4. ↑ Sid Chaplin (24 May 1960). "From the archive, 24 May 1960: The narrow world of Norman Cornish". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  5. ↑ "Celebrated County Durham artist Norman Cornish dies aged 94". The Northern Echo. 3 August 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 "Norman Cornish - obituary". Daily Telegraph. 3 August 2014.
  7. 1 2 "Honour for artist Norman Cornish". ITV.com. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
  8. ↑ McNay, Michael (2014-08-01). "Norman Cornish obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
  9. ↑ Sarah Scott (2 August 2014). "Norman Cornish dead: Last of the famous Pitman Painters dies at 94". Daily Mirror.

External links


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