This autumn we celebrate pure freedom of expression, bringing together artists who blur traditional boundaries and defy categorisation.

Art Any Way is a collaboration with Outside In, a leading national charity supporting artists who encounter significant barriers to the art world, and Cornwall-based arts organisation Shallal, which champions equity in creativity.

The diverse show will also feature work from the museum’s collection – some of which dates as far back as the Renaissance – and pieces from the Schools Art Collection which is owned by Cornwall Council and cared for by the museum.

Museum Co-Director Bryony Robins commented:

“Art Any Way will feature an eclectic range of artists who all offer us fresh and exhilarating approaches. The thing that unites them is their compulsion to create by any means, resulting in an exhibition full of intriguing stories of human ingenuity as well as exuberant art.”

Works held by the museum appearing in the show include paintings by Alfred Wallis, Bryan Pearce, John Emmanuel and Tony O’Malley, as well as The Hound of Geevor (cannus stannus geevoritii) – a figure of a dog made from rubber boots discovered in Geevor tin mine by David Kemp, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Art Any Way will also feature works by the artist Terry Shaul held in a private collection; Shaul’s work was the subject of a hit exhibition last year, when paintings by this undiscovered artist went on display for the first time in 34 years.

For Molly Breton, Director of Outside In, the show is an exciting opportunity:

“We know that our art world is poorer when we exclude certain aspects of creativity from our shared history and experience of art making. Yet self-taught and non-traditional artists continue to face significant barriers to getting their work recognised. That is why we’re thrilled to be partnering with Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, to bring works from Outside In’s collection to new audiences.”

Artists from Outside In’s collection include Ben Wilson, who is best known for his miniature paintings on discarded pieces of chewing gum, Aradne who creates ‘drawings in stitch’ inspired by a childhood spent in Africa, and Jewish émigré Friedrich Nagler who’s small scale sculptural heads are carved from bone, metal, plastic and even bread.

Jo Willis, Shallal’s Founder and Director, commented:

“Shallal is going to be 40 in 2027, and continues to grow and diversify. The collaboration with Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery for Art Any Way is a good example. It’s great to see our artists thriving in the studio, learning transferable skills, and on the way forging lifelong friendships through the joy of creativity and spontaneous sharing.”

More information on the exhibition can be found here.

Events are being planned to coincide with the show, including a performance by Shallal artists and a weekend of talks and activities; sign up to the museum’s newsletter to receive updates here.