"With a festival of colour and light, this year John's exhibition coincides with the start of the Tall Ships' Race, leaving Falmouth and heading for Portugal in a parade of sail. Tall ships are frequent visitors to the Cornish Harbours, and may often be seen floating majestically in Falmouth Bay. This year will be a treat to the eye as nearly one hundred ships surround the coastline and prepare themselves for the race. In his Tall Ship paintings John has captured the bustling colourful preparations as people on shore enjoy the view and those on small boats join in and take part in this special event. The use of gold and silver leaf embellishes the celebrations, the water sparkles under a silver moon and the fireworks explode in a halo of gold; busy sailors climb the rigging and colourful flags fill the bay. The title of this exhibition "Tall Ships and Small Ships" embraces both the Tall Ships event and daily life in the Cornish seaside villages and harbours; the magical evening light as fishermen check their nets and return home to their cottages. In the painting "Golden Glow, Mevagissey" a golden light floods from the windows with a welcoming glow, spilling gold out across the harbour. Seagulls dip and dive against the starry sky, daylight fading to dusk. In Mousehole a couple enjoy the views while drinking tea in their flower filled harbour side garden. Happy scenes of warmth and comfort captured by the artist as he delights in his surroundings. The whole show captures both this homeliness and at the same time the fun and celebrations on the water. A delightful spectacle and one not to be missed."
John Dyer 1998 Artist in residence for the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races
