Fishing and Newlyn

“Newlyn Pier and Harbour Commission have been delighted to obtain the service of Henrietta Graham. Her passion for the industry and the harbour are immeasurable, we are delighted to have her work on permanent display to the public in Newlyn”

— Rob Parsons- Harbour Master, Newlyn.

Visit the paintings

In this video Henrietta Graham talks about the nine huge aluminium reproductions of her work that have been installed at Newlyn Fish Market.

She spent days at sea immersing herself in the lives of the fisherman and the paintings give the viewer an insight into the vibrancy of the fishing trade.

You can read more about the project in this article by the BBC: Newlyn fishing paintings reveal 'phenomenal' lives of fishermen

You can buy prints of the paintings here.

The paintings are visible 24 hours a day.

Newlyn Pier & Harbour Commissioners
Cornwall TR18 5HW

June 2021 Newlyn Harbour and commissioners announce the hanging of 9 paintings reproduced on nine 8 x 6ft panels on the fishmarket to the public by Henrietta Graham.

‘ I am hugely grateful to all the fishermen and workforce for allowing me to work amongst them. I am also deeply honoured to be following a long historical tradition of artists working in the fishing industry in Newlyn and thrilled that the commissioners of the Harbour have given me this opportunity.

Without doubt my time out at Sea is life changing. It has really deepened and strengthened my appreciation and understanding of what fishing entails. The bravery and extreme hard work of the fishermen is phenomenal. There is something so powerful about being hundreds of miles out at sea, standing on the top of a trawler to watch the sun rise. Throwing out the nets in the knowledge that the exact same work has been done by man for thousands of years. Everything to do with life on land is left inland. The simplicity of the day is liberating and the job in hand all that counts. The days ahead and behind bleed into one another and the sole focus becomes vital -catching the fish.

I have never had such peace and on the flip side such intense adrenalin as when the catch comes in!

I have sketched relentlessly at sea, painting is more of a challenge when you are never vertical or really in charge of your gravity. I have also learned how to fish onboard Karen of Ladram- my thanks to the crew and skipper Sid Porter. ‘

Henrietta Graham

Visit the print page