Discover contemporary Cornish art at The Sherborne

Cornwall has inspired generations of artists. But what does it mean to live and work as an artist there today?

Contemporary Cornish artist Sam Bassett offers a fascinating perspective on a place where artistic heritage, landscape and everyday life are closely intertwined.

Born in St Ives and raised in Carbis Bay, Bassett comes from a family with roots in Cornwall's fishing, mining and farming communities. Working from a former net loft at the historic Porthmeor Studios, his practice is shaped by a deep connection to the place he calls home.

His work explores atmosphere, identity, humour and anxiety, alongside wider questions of housing, tourism, changing communities and the disappearance of traditional industries.

Bassett's contemporary perspective provides a compelling connection to Cornish Art from the David Tovey Collection, opening at The Sherborne on Saturday 24 October. Together, these stories invite us to consider how Cornwall's artistic traditions continue to evolve.

Meet the artist: Sam Bassett in Conversation with Liz Gilmore

Friday 27 November 2026 | 6pm–7pm

Join Sam Bassett in conversation with The Sherborne's CEO, Liz Gilmore, for an exploration of his artistic practice, Cornish identity and the changing relationship between art and place.

The evening includes an audience Q&A.

Doors open: 5pm
Tickets: £15
Four-Talk Pass: £50, including all four November Cornish Art Talks

Discover the David Tovey Collection and explore the wider programme of Cornish art at The Sherborne.