Lancashire born artist Stephanie Sandercock moved to Cornwall in 2014 and began painting full time.
“The coastal rock at Gwithian had a profound effect on me. I became obsessed. I stood with my forehead on the rock face feeling the ancient pulse of the Earth.
Until then I’d found it difficult to feel settled anywhere. Suddenly I felt grounded, safe and supported. All I wanted to do was paint the rocks.
The Penwith Gallery became so important to me as I was able to hold solo shows of my work. This gave me an aim to supply brand new work every two years and my art practise developed and became a way of life.”
2016 – ‘Gwithian Rocks’
2018 – ‘Godolphin To The Sea’
2020 – ‘Hayle To Halzephron’
2022 – ‘Alchemy’
“I begin each new piece with a plan based on the form of the rocks but sometimes other elements sneak in, like the ploughed fields, harbour wall, turning tide or shapes of the seaweed.
Creating textures with plaster is one of my favourite things and I like to layer paint and later sand it down to reveal surprising patterns. Using muscovite mica to reflect the light adds another magical element.
Like a mystery unravelling before my eyes the process takes me to unimagined places. There’s an aliveness that can’t be measured and this gives me a sense of playfulness, of freedom.
Art is a moving growing thing to explore and immerse myself in. I don’t know where it will lead but I am 100% engaged in the journey.”
Works on aluminium, rusted steel and wooden panel using crushed limestone and marble plaster, muscovite, acrylic and oil.
Stephanie is a member of The Penwith Society of Arts and the St. Ives Society.
Her work has been exhibited in London’s OXO Tower Chaiya Art Awards and she is represented by Thompson’s Galleries in London.
TIMES AND ECHO – DECEMBER 2018 ‘Godolphin To The Sea’
“Many will remember her first, Gwithian Rocks, held there two years ago, acclaimed at the time as a promising debut, the works in her current show more than fulfil that promise, and should not be missed.
In every sense this is an impressive show.
As appealing as it is accomplished.”
– Frank Ruhrmund.
TIMES AND ECHO – JULY 2022 ‘Alchemy’
“Her deep closeness to these rocks, particularly those along the shore at Gwithian, was such that she felt compelled to paint them, and so successfully it led her to being elected as a full member of the Penwith Society of Arts in St. Ives, earlier this year.
Her fourth solo show Alchemy now being held in the Studio Gallery within the Penwith Gallery. One of the meanings of the title she has given her solo show is ‘a miraculous transformation’, and although she doesn’t change the base metals she uses in her work into actual gold, she comes close to doing so.
It’s safe to add that most viewers will be happy to accompany her on her journey. From Wild Ideas and Tiger Iron to Evening Clarity and Magnetic Field her three-dimensional, semi-sculptural compositions are as accomplished and appealing as they are impressive and highly individual. Well worth a visit.”
– Frank Ruhrmund.
https://stephaniesandercock.com
https://www.instagram.com/stephanie_sandercock/
