The Library has become an unexpected canvas for artistic exploration, hosting a captivating pop up art exhibition by our talented artist-in-residence, Megan Nurcombe.This exhibition takes visitors on an evocative journey through the landscapes that have shaped Nurcombe’s artistic vision. Through a series of contemporary gestural paintings and expressive drawings, the exhibition explores the profound connection between individuals and the natural environments they experience. 

Megan Nurcombe’s work draws from her deep fascination with the human experience of landscapes and the unique ways in which people engage with places. In her own words, 'My name is Megan Nurcombe, and I am an artist who explores the human experience of natural environments through contemporary gestural painting practices and expressive drawing methodologies.' This statement sets the tone for the entire exhibition, which invites viewers to reflect on their own relationships with nature, place, and memory. 

Through her studies of landscape and modes of perception, Nurcombe has developed a keen understanding of how places resonate with individuals in different ways. She believes that 'landscapes are not simply to be gazed upon, but to be entered into, felt, and participated in over and over again.' This idea is brought to life in her work, where she uses sweeping gestures, curved lines, and intermingling marks to represent the movement and dynamism of the natural world. Unlike traditional landscape painting, which often presents a stationary view of nature, Nurcombe’s work pulsates with the energy of the environment, inviting viewers to experience landscapes as active, ever-changing entities. 

At the heart of Nurcombe’s exhibition is her personal connection to the rugged North Cornish coast. Over the years, she has returned time and again to this sublime stretch of coastline, drawing inspiration from its storms and stillness. 

'These paintings are personal memories, collected over many years of returning to the rugged North Cornish coast, sublime in both storm and stillness,' she reflects. Each piece in the exhibition is imbued with the artist’s own experiences and recollections of the landscape, creating a sense of intimacy and authenticity that resonates with the audience. 

One of the most striking aspects of the exhibition is how Nurcombe’s work becomes a portal for viewers to enter their own memories of places that have shaped them. She strives to create works of art that 'become sites of resonance for others' where people can see their own experiences reflected in the art and connect with the landscapes depicted. In this way, the exhibition becomes a shared space where personal memories are transformed into universal experiences. 

Megan Nurcombe’s exhibition will be on display until Monday 24 March 2025 in the Library. 

Mrs Annabel Owen, Director of Art