Book Launch Truro 2008

Painting at the Edge of the World
Truro Book Launch 18 March 2008

The launch of Tony Foster's new book, Painting at the Edge of the World, The Watercolours of Tony Foster, was opened at The Royal Cornwall Museum (RCM), Truro, Cornwall, UK on 18 March 2008 by Tim Smit, Chief Executive of the Eden Project.

Painting at the Edge of the World
The Watercolours of Tony Foster
Cover Illustration

The launch of Tony Foster's new book "Painting at the Edge of the World" was opened by Tim Smit, Chief Executive of the Eden Project. The gallery was packed with invited guests, quite a few of them from Tony's home village of Tywardreath, but one couple had come from Peru.

General hubbub as the guests arrive

The proceedings were introduced by Hilary Bracegirdle, Director RCM. She was clearly delighted with the event and had found Tony to be an ideal exhibitor, cooperative, hard working and fun to work with. She then introduced Tim Smit.

The Museum Curator introduces Tony Foster

Tim Smit spoke of the abuse of the earth that stemmed from the book of Genesis where God is described as giving mankind "dominion" over the earth. He felt his vision of the world for the Eden Project was closely aligned with Tony's in that Tony is trying to get people the rediscover their place on the planet by seeing, by really seeing, the awesomeness of the world we live in. By going into the wildernesses of the world to spend considerable time experiencing the places where he was painting, Tony was trying to redress the imbalance caused by "dominion", not romantically, but with clear sighted wonder. He was in the tradition of the great explorers of earlier centuries and a real star.

Tim Smit (right) giving his opening speech

In replying to Tim Smit's opening address, Tony said that he felt that much of art today was not about art so much as the artist, and he was trying to put the emphasis back on the subject matter. In the case of the book, he felt that many art books were a bit difficult to engage with and he hoped that with his book he had broken the mould by providing sufficient variety with his paintings,diary excerpts,expedition photographs, and related essays by prominent art historians, scientists and fellow travellers, so that the book could be opened at random and immediately enjoyed.

This display shows catalogues for all nine of Tony's major exhibitions. Almost lost beside these is his paintbox, his palette (a plastic lid) and the jar that holds his paint water laced with gin to act as antifreeze in sub-zero conditions.

Nine Catalogues along with Tony's paint box, palette and paint water bottle

Something of Tony's enthusiasm and sense of fun pervaded the museum, filling the gallery and spilling out and down the stairs and into the street as we were leaving.

Tony Foster signing books

Attending this event was a remarkable and thoroughly enjoyable experience, and the museum is a gem, all credit to its exuberant and helpful staff.

More about Tony Foster's Book