As one of the best known artists in Cornwall at this time, John Piper is neither Cornish, nor drawn to the county by “the light”.

He came as a boy when his parents bought a guest house in St Ives. His desire to make his life that of a painter was ignited by the sight of a huge Patrick Heron canvas on a visit to the Penwith Society in the early 60’s. It captured his imagination.

So much so that frequent further visits to exhibitions, discussions and lectures at "the Penwith" totally immersed him in the Modernist art scene of St. Ives.

Now, more than 50 years on, John, who exhibits internationally as much as he does in Cornwall, has been a key member of both  “the Penwith” and the Newlyn Society of Artists.