Explore the deeply evocative world of Kane Cunningham in this curated exhibition and auction featuring 100 handpicked pieces from his home and studio. A pioneer in contemporary expressionism, Cunningham's work spans a diverse array of media, subjects, and series, reflecting his lifelong dedication to capturing the essence of the landscape.
This exclusive collection, drawn from some of Cunningham’s favourite works throughout his career to date, provides a unique opportunity to experience the depth and breadth of his artistic vision.
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About Kane Cunningham
Kane Cunningham was born in Manchester in 1961. Cunningham was brought up on a council estate in Manchester. At the age of 8 he wandered into Bury Art gallery and was inspired by the paintings of J. M. W. Turner, Sir Edwin Landseer and Frederick Elwell.
He went to Rochdale School of Art aged 16 and then onto Leeds Polytechnic in 1979 to study Fine Art. While at Leeds he travelled to Scarborough, Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby. In 1982 Cunningham become a part-time art lecturer at Rochdale School of Art.
The Lake District was emerging as a great source of inspiration for Cunningham. He saw it as the landscape of Turner and English in tradition but also a reference to the paintings of Mark Rothko in New York and Zhang Daqian in China.
He describes the Lakes as an immersive experience where colour radiates and vibrates with sensation, where all your peripheral vision can be pure colour in hues of blues, green, yellow, violet and red.
Cunningham is part of a more recent generation of northern painters who are inspired by the landscape. He describes himself as a Northern Expressionist landscape painter in the company of Peter Hicks, Len Tabner and William Tillyer.
In 1996 he moved to Scarborough with his young family to teach full time at the Art School and retired in 2017 to become a full-time painter. He has work in the collections of many of the large county houses and stately homes in North Yorkshire including Castle Howard, Hovingham Hall, Sledmere House and Scampston Hall.
His Work
Cunningham’s paintings go beyond the picturesque, delving into the social, political, and environmental implications of the landscapes he so passionately studies. His approach, rooted in extensive research and emotional connection, reflects a profound understanding of the world around us. Whether inspired by the serene yet volatile beauty of the Lake District or the stark realities of climate change, Cunningham's works are a testament to his belief that landscape painting remains a relevant and powerful form of artistic expression today.
Viewings at Vine Street
Wednesday 16th October 10am - 4pm
Thursday 17th October 10am - 4pm
Friday 18th October 10am - 4pm
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