Falmouth Art Gallery Expands and Enhances its Public Art Collection with Recent Acquisitions

Falmouth Art Gallery is pleased to announce the addition of several remarkable works to its renowned public art collection over the past year. These acquisitions demonstrate the Gallery’s commitment to expanding the Collection so that it encompasses a diverse range of artists and art forms. Thanks to the generosity of private individuals and funding support from external sources, the Gallery has welcomed standout works which will be enjoyed by the community for years to come.

Works which are now part of the Collection include:

Georgia Gendall (b. 1991) – The Worm Forgives the Plough, 2024 and other works

The Worm Forgives the Plough is a captivating short film by Cornwall-based artist Georgia Gendall. Commissioned for the exhibition ‘Ammeth’ which explored farming in Cornwall and took place at the Gallery in 2024, this film features the St Keverne Brass Band performing a score by Seamas Carey. In addition to the film, the Gallery has also acquired an original oil pastel drawing and a suite of vibrant risograph prints that celebrate the beloved Worm Charming championship, which Gendall established in 2022.

Ben Sanderson – Playing Place, 2024

Another significant acquisition is Playing Place, an etching on handmade paper by local artist Ben Sanderson which featured in the Gallery’s recent ‘Out of Paper’ exhibition. This unique four-plate photopolymer etching, made in collaboration with master printmaker Simon Marsh, debuted at the University of Warwick’s Mead Gallery. As Sanderson’s first piece in the Gallery’s print collection, it enriches its already impressive collection of works on paper – widely considered to be among the most important held in public ownership outside London.

Eric James Mellon (1925-2014) – Mermaid of Zennor, 1994

To celebrate the centenary of Eric James Mellon, the Gallery received a gift from his daughter and son-in-law: a distinctive woodcut print inspired by the Cornish legend of the Mermaid of Zennor. The print, featuring intertwined figures and the iconic Porthleven clocktower, will be part of ‘Collections Corner’ – a small-scale curation spotlighting a different artist each month – in November, highlighting the artist’s legacy.

Maurice Sumray (1920-2004) – The Unquiet Offering, 1995

In a significant addition to the Collection, the Gallery has accepted The Unquiet Offering, an oil painting by Maurice Sumray. This poignant work, depicting a Jewish elder and a younger male figure, enters the Collection nearly thirty years after the Gallery hosted a retrospective exhibition of Sumray’s work. Visitors can view this piece in the current one-room Collections Display, which runs until 4^th July 2026.

Caeria Strong (1935-2020) – Horse, Cow and Sheep Skulls, 1991

The Gallery is also thrilled to have received Horse, Cow and Sheep Skulls by Caeria Strong, an evocative oil painting gifted by the artist’s daughter, Rebecca Tabram. This is the first work by Strong to enter a public collection, underscoring the Gallery’s mission to champion women artists whose talents have often been overlooked. The painting will be featured in the second rotation of this year’s one-room Collections Display from 8^th July to 31^st December 2026.

Mary Winifred Freeman (1866-1961) – Shop on the Quay, 1889

Finally, the Gallery’s most recent acquisition is a stunning watercolour by Winifred Freeman, depicting a bustling grocer’s shop interior. Exhibited in 1889 at the Institute of Painters in Watercolours, this piece captures the lively interaction between a shopkeeper and a customer. The gallery expresses its gratitude to The Arts Society Falmouth for its generous contribution towards the cost of acquiring this artwork.

Jacob Moss, Collections Manager at Falmouth Art Gallery, stated, “These acquisitions represent not just a broadening of our Collection, but a commitment to showcasing diverse narratives and creative practices. There are works which look to the past and represent aspects of the history of Falmouth and Cornwall but also those which reflect the present and future through the lens of contemporary, active artists. Together, they reflect the eclectic spirit of the Collection, and we hope they will move, inspire and engage both our local community and visitors to Falmouth.”

Falmouth Art Gallery continues to foster a deeper appreciation for art in its many forms, making it accessible to all. The Gallery warmly invites visitors to explore these new additions and the stories they tell in its Collections Display showcase.