Azure Sea & Sky – Martyn Perryman and Jenny Hirst
Porthminster Gallery, St Ives, is delighted to present Azure Sea and Sky, a joint exhibition of new paintings by acclaimed artists Martyn Perryman and Jenny Hirst. The exhibition captures the luminous spirit, ever-shifting weather, and dramatic horizons of the Cornish coastline – a fitting tribute to St Ives’ artistic heritage and its magnetic pull for landscape painters.
The exhibition is accompanied by a curated display of ceramics and sculptures by selected gallery artists.
- ‘Azure Sea’ Jenny Hirst
- ‘Tranquility’ Martyn Perryman
Inspired by her travels and especially by the unique light and landscape of West Cornwall, Jenny Hirst’s paintings capture the essence of the ever-changing weather and the magical light of West Cornwall. Working with layered acrylic paint on board, canvas or panel, Jenny’s process is one of discovery – scraping, rubbing, and building texture to reveal hidden depths. Her expressive works are less about exact geography and more about emotional resonance – a visual echo of a place, mood, and memory.
Martyn Perryman’s seascapes are marked by a deep sense of tranquility and thoughtful simplicity. Rooted in his regular walks along the north cliffs and St Ives Bay, his works – often minimalist and expansive – invite the viewer to reflect on the stillness and depth of nature.
“My intention is to produce paintings that trigger a past visual experience – to create the calmness and clarity of mind that can be achieved when looking out to a horizon. I invite the viewer to take time to join me in this contemplative position, enabling the consolidation of past events and the consideration of future possibilities.” Martyn’s work in oil on canvas and paper is shaped by a careful return to familiar viewpoints, translating sketch and study into refined studio compositions.