The Jim Tinley Retrospective Book and Exhibition

Jim Tinley

Jim was a Porthleven-based artist and art teacher who spent three decades recording the characters in and around his home of Porthleven in pencil and oil. From the 1970s through to the late 1990s Jim created hundreds of paintings and drawings of local people. Jim Tinley passed away in November 2018. Jim was an art teacher at Helston School and the founder of a community art movement in Porthleven which he started with other artists in The Breageside Studios.

The Exhibition

Jim's wife Sue, his friends and family are partnering with The Porthleven Art Community Interest Company to gather his most important work from homes all round the UK. Jim's work, for just a fleeting moment, will be displayed in Porthleven at a free-to-attend Jim Tinley Retrospective Exhibition between the 24th of July and the 1st of August at the Old Artist Studios warehouse on Mount Pleasant Road, Porthleven, TR13 9JS.

The Book

We want to create a limited edition hardback book to celebrate Jim's life's work and the history of the people of Porthleven between the 1970s and 1990s. It is such a fleeting moment in time and this is our one chance to record his artwork as well as the three decades of history of the people of Porthleven. We are working with the Porthleven-based Ocean Agency to create this publication.

Cultural Importance

Jim’s work is culturally important for Cornwall and in particular the history of Porthleven. Jim was especially keen to record the village's ‘old characters’, such as retired fishermen who used to gather in the old men’s shelter to chat and play cards, people drinking in pubs, people working and children playing. This exhibition and book is important not only for Jim's friends, family and those who love his artwork but to capture and record the history of the people of a Cornish fishing town and show Jim's work to a new generation. 

Gathering Stories

As well as publishing his artwork the project will be recording and listening to the stories surrounding each work, adding new stories to the history of Porthleven that would otherwise be lost. We are working with Porthleven Museum to capture these images and tales.

Continuing Jim's Work As An Art Teacher

We want to create a legacy and continue Jim's work as an art teacher. Any money raised over our target needed for publication of the book and the exhibition will go into community projects and school art resources locally. Jim wanted to inspire the younger generations to engage their creativity.

Our Target

We need your help to create and publish this important book. We need to raise £11,500 which is for the creation and publication of the book, holding the exhibition and educational creative workshops. Money raised over our target will go into primary and secondary school resources and workshops as a Jim Tinley Legacy.

Rewards And Pledges

In return for a pledge of £30 or more you will receive a limited edition hardback copy of the Jim Tinley book. However any donation small or big is very welcome. 

For a pledge of just £10 you will receive a beautiful limited edition print of a Jim Tinley pen and ink landscape drawing in or around Porthleven.

For a pledge of £500 or more, as well as copies of the book we will include your name or business logo in the publication and you will be thanked as a sponsor.

The art exhibition will be free to attend.

Please pledge to help continue Jim’s work in art education and help inspire a new generation whilst allowing memories of previous generations to be kept alive.