‘Norman Cornish - The Test of Time’ was the title of the May presentation, given by Norman’s son in law, Mike Thornton. Norman was born in 1919 in Spennymoor. He started work down the pit aged 14 and one of his first jobs was a Pony Putter putter at the Dean and Chapter Colliery in Ferry hill. It was clear from an early age that Norman was a talented ‘drawer’ and aged 15 he joined the Spennymoor Settlement known as the ‘Pitman’s Academy’ art school. He was advised to paint things that he knew. He enjoyed painting people and during his lifetime he painted 2,500 pictures in underground settings and 500 on the surface. His studio was his bedroom.
Mike displayed some of Norman’s paintings, including several portraits and self-portraits. His paintings feature mining life particularly involving people in the community. Norman used his experience as a miner to record life in the pit and produced some compelling imagery. These included kids in the snow, the pit road, Trimdon level crossing, paper sellers, men at the bar and portraits of his grandmother, sister, Sid Chaplin, Matt Ridley
and many more.
He received several honorary academic awards from local universities, including an MA from Newcastle, an LLB from Northumbria and a PhD from Sunderland. He was commissioned by Durham County Council to produce The Durham Miners’ Gala Mural, to coincide with the opening in 1963 of the new County Hall. He had to take a
year’s unpaid leave to complete it. During his lifetime he became very friendly with LS Lowery and was delighted when Lowery bought two of his paintings.
It is clear that Norman Cornish’s paintings have stood the test of time. Despite his lack of academic background, he is now recognised as a very fine artist and has a national reputation. As the mining industry and its community become things of the past, his work is increasingly appreciated, representing a world that has largely disappeared.
The next meeting is on Thursday 25th June when Neil Hanson, ex landlord of the Tan Hill pub, will speak on ‘Ghost Writing’.
Report by Ian Reid