A new exhibition at National Maritime Museum Cornwall (NMMC) by local artist, Jane Southern, explores the positive role art can play in mental health recovery.
Jane, who lives in Falmouth, took up painting just five years ago as a way of dealing with a series of traumatic and sad events in her life. Encouraged by a friend, she began using the photographs she had taken of Falmouth and the Cornish coast as a source of inspiration.
The exhibition, entitled ‘How Painting Changed My Life’, runs from Friday 30 January to Sunday 19 April 2026 at NMMC. It traces Jane's progression from her earliest paintings to her most recent work, showcasing the techniques and confidence she has gained through attending art workshops across Cornwall. It tells a relatable story of personal artistic struggle and growth.
Jane said: “It’s unusual to view an exhibition where the artist displays their first ever attempts at painting and how they improved by simply starting another painting after finishing the last one. Attending a handful of workshops at Newlyn, the Cornwall School of Art, and one at St Ives certainly stretched me, but I am mainly self-taught and still learning, with every painting presenting different problems to solve.”
Through Jane’s work, which is brought to life by personal insights and candid filmed interviews, visitors will gain an understanding of how she found the challenge of learning to paint to be a distraction from grief.
Jane adds: “I never envisaged mounting an exhibition like this and am thrilled that the Museum decided to share and display my painting journey. I sincerely hope it inspires others facing difficulties and sadness in life and helps them find solace in the challenge of the creative process.”
Richard Doughty, Director of National Maritime Museum Cornwall, said: “This exhibition is part of the Museum’s experimental and organic series of artist-led exhibitions created in response to the maritime world.
“We’re delighted to host this emotional, engaging exhibition, which not only demonstrates Jane’s deep connection with art, but also showcases the beauty of Falmouth and the Cornish coastline.”
The exhibition is open every day during museum opening times. On paying the NMMC admission fee, visitors receive an Annual Pass, enabling them to return as many times as they wish for the following 12 months.
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