Ocean Connection

Seascapes by Gemma Lessinger and Sophie Bagnall Old Lifeboat House in Porthleven, 16-29 August

Following the success of their 2024 show, artists Gemma Lessinger and Sophie Bagnall are thrilled to return to the historic Old Lifeboat House in Porthleven this summer for a two-week-long pop-up exhibition.

Ocean Connection is a celebration of Cornwall’s dramatic coastline, expressed through original seascape paintings and ocean-inspired artworks. With a shared passion for the rhythm, energy, and serenity of the sea, Gemma and Sophie bring together two distinct but harmonious perspectives in a powerful visual dialogue.

Rooted in sustainability and creative wellbeing, the exhibition taps into a growing movement of artists using reclaimed materials and slow processes to foster connection in an overstimulated world.

Visitors can expect:
●A vibrant collection of ocean-inspired artwork from both artists
●Guided workshops with the artists, including a special driftwood painting session led
by Gemma
●Daily opportunities to meet the artists in person

“I’ve always loved Sophie’s expression of the ocean’s rhythm – it’s what first drew me to her work, and why our styles complement each other so naturally,” says Gemma. “Where she captures movement through energetic brushstrokes, I bring the ocean to life through texture and depth, layering upcycled surfboard fibreglass, vintage fabrics, and reclaimed materials into sculptural seascapes that are as tactile as they are emotive.”

At the core of Gemma’s work is a deep connection to memory, place, and the sensory experience of the ocean. Her mixed-media pieces, shaped by her background in fashion and sustainability, invite viewers to feel the sea, not just see it. Gemma will be unveiling new pieces that lean into her fashion background, using vintage textiles and offcuts from local designers to craft more tactile, slightly abstracted interpretations of the ever-changing ocean.