He Died Before His Big Break – Now This Lost Cornish Artist Is Finally Being Seen

Exhibition opens at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery in Truro

A new exhibition opening this month at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery shines a light on the life and work of Terry Shaul, an undiscovered Cornish artist whose talent remained unrecognised until now.

Titled The Lost Works of Terry Shaul, the show marks the first time his paintings have been displayed in over three decades.

A Life in the Margins

Terry, who lived in Barripper near Camborne between 1969 and 1991, was an eccentric and complex figure. Shaped by a turbulent childhood and a lifetime of isolation, he gradually slipped through the cracks of society.

Far from the glamour of the traditional ‘struggling artist’ trope, Terry lived alone in a small Cornish cottage. There, he painted on whatever surfaces he could find, covering his surroundings with vignettes, murals, and poignant everyday scenes.

Despite having no formal art training, Terry quietly developed a distinctive and expressive style. His work explores solitude, simplicity, and the passing of time. Often described as ‘naïve’ for its use of bright, unrealistic colours and childlike forms, the paintings are infused with a dreamlike quality – and a touch of humour.

“Terry clearly painted to escape from reality,” explained Reuben Harris, who has curated the exhibition. “He nurtured his practice as a form of therapy in a society where no alternative was readily available.”

Rediscovered Through Memory

Reuben, whose parents knew Terry personally, grew up with the artist’s paintings in his home. He has brought together the collection using not just the artworks themselves but also memories and stories from Terry’s friends and neighbours.

“Terry’s last years were spent in isolation and ended with his sudden death at home, where he lay undiscovered for days,” said Reuben. “At the time he was actually about to have a solo show in Manchester, but passed away just before it opened. I think there’s a dark irony there that Terry would have appreciated.”

“To describe Terry’s work as simplistic or naïve is to gloss over something more profound,” Reuben continued. “There’s a complexity and depth to his work, often captured in the eyes of his subjects, that portrays an artist with great substance.”

The Art of Stillness

Bryony Robins, Co-Director of Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery, said: “Shaul’s story highlights the importance of societal bonds, the enduring drive to create, and also how people experience and express trauma in different ways. I admire the stillness, the whimsical elements, the kindness, and the surprising humour in his work, all of which finds greatest expression in his paintings of his beloved cat, Tibby.”

The exhibition runs until 21st June at Cornwall Museum and Art Gallery in Truro. Entry is included in the Annual Pass, which costs £10. Admission is free for under 18s and members. Visit www.cornwallmuseum.org for more details.

What Else Is On at the Museum This April?

• Nature Unmasked – a series of free family activities throughout the Easter holidays, including animal mask-making, sketching, and object handling.

• A Wild Cornish Future – a talk on 17th April with nature writer Sophie Pavelle and climate researcher Dr Mark Wilson on species resilience and climate change.

• Ongoing exhibitions: Biodiversity by Kurt Jackson, Original Rebels by Camilla Dixon, and Withy Lore celebrating the craft of withy pot making.

• Don’t miss the award-winning Mineral Gallery, which has been creatively reimagined and recently took home the Innovation Award at the 2025 Cornish Heritage Awards.

For more information and opening times, visit the Cornwall Museum & Art Gallery website.