Peter Lanyon

Expanded from my notes from going to Tate Britain – 15.02.16

‘St Just’ 19535 – Peter Lanyon

(Image here is not to be used as colour reference, the original painting  is much more brightand vibrant).

I want to use the greens here. The texture is scratched and layered. Small flecks of blue and orange are dotted around, that glow amidst the general tonal colours.

The idea of bodies being embedded into the landscape is emotive and honest within Lanyon’s paintings. It is classed as post war deconstructionism and abstract art, it is honest in colour and the stories each piece communicates to the viewer. The black rift in the center represents both the mine shaft St Just is famous for and also a crucifixion of the common man, the miners. In my work I have become interested in the idea of people turning into the landscape, the line between cultural identity and geological position, ‘St Just’ is a wonderful example.

*”This layering of ideas of abstract painting, crucifixion, other mythologies, and of the history of a place.” I am also currently playing with the idea of using ‘Apollo and Daphne’ from ancient Greek Mythology.

But people turning into different landscapes, other than there own. The idea of fragile local identity and context. *”His reason for looking to the landscape is not because it’s lovely, it’s because it’s a return to something rooted.”

Quoting * Interview on Lanyon: http://www.artcornwall.org/interviews/Chris_Stephens_on_Lanyon.htm

Tateshots short introduction to Peter Lanyon’s work: