I was there when He set the limits to the seas so they would not spread beyond their boundaries (Cligga Head, Cornwall)
I was there when He set the limits to the seas so they would not spread beyond their boundaries (Cligga Head, Cornwall)
Graphite & gouache on paper 56cm x 19cm
This work focuses on Cligga Head, one of the most geologically and industrially significant headlands in North Cornwall. Known for its sheer cliffs and the high concentration of mineral veins that once fueled the local tin and wolfram mining industries, the landscape is one of rugged, almost violent beauty. The panoramic format captures the "end of the world" feeling of the headland, where the vertical grit of the cliffs meets the horizontal infinity of the Atlantic. The title is drawn from Proverbs 8:29: "When he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth." Through the use of graphite, I’ve sought to ground the piece in the "foundations of the earth," emphasizing the ancient, solid weight of the rock. In contrast, the gouache and splattered textures represent the spray and the vastness of the sea. The painting explores the divine order found in nature - the invisible line where the power of the ocean is held in check by the authority of the land. It is a meditation on sovereignty, boundaries, and the staggering scale of creation at the edge of the Cornish coast.
