Everday abstraction: Geographical knowledge in the art of Peter Lanyon

Abstract

This paper considers geographical knowledge in twentieth-century abstract expressionism, in terms of phenomenological experiment and belonging. It explores these themes through the life and work of the Cornish artist Peter Lanyon. He provides a good case to study the real connections between art and place because of his experiments with positioning himself in space; his connections to West Penwith, Cornwall, and; expressions of his own Cornishness.