Romi BEHRENS
Rosemary (aka Romi) was born in Wiltshire, but came to Cornwall in 1959, where she remained until her death. A multi-talented and thoroughly creative person, she was as much a musician (violinist) as a visual artist, the latter having been taken up after marriage to her late husband Michael. As a painter, she was largely self-taught, and greatly responsive to people and objects such as musical instruments and flowers, which found their way into her images.
She was a member of the Newlyn Society of Artists (NSA) from the late 1960s, though resigning in disgust a couple of times. With the NSA she exhibited often in mixed shows. Her work was also shown at the Rainyday Gallery, Penzance.
Romi was both a speedy and a spontaneous artist, as described by Frank RUHRMUND, reviewing her colourful and exuberant work. She was quick to tell you that she would like to paint your portrait - and it would only take 5 minutes. Her instincts and opinions were positive and naturally 'sunny' in approach. Her friends were many in the artistic community and included Jeremy LE GRICE, Lyn LE GRICE, Rose HILTON, Jane AKEROYD, Daphne McCLURE and many others.
media
Painter of portraits and still life in oil, chalk, watercolour, charcoal, mixed media
works and access
Lavender Vase; Whippet; Mandolin; Hi Henry
exhibitions
Mixed shows, NAG
1988: Art Share
1995: RA Summer Exhibition
2006: Artist-in-residence, Trereife House Gallery, Newlyn
2009: Solo exhibition, '50 Years of Painting', Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro
2010: Christmas Exhibition (solo), Old Methodist Chapel, Gulval, preview to London show 2011
2011: 'Toucan and Friends' gallery@illustrationcupboard.com, Bury Street, St James's, London, 16 Feb-2nd Mar
2011: 'The Female Perspective' Group show, Chapel Gallery, Gulval, April-May
2017: What is this Place? Newlyn Art Gallery, Newlyn (22 Apr-15 July)
2018: Selected Works, Tremenheere Gallery, Gulval, Penzance (26 July-2 Sept)
2019: Winter Exhibition, Tremenheere Gallery, Gulval, Penzance (16 Feb-24 Mar)
2024: Truro School Art Collection, Royal Cornwall Museum, Truro (30 Jan-18 May)
2024: Romi Behrens - A Painting Life, Tremenheere Gallery, Gulval, Penzance (13 Sept-5 Oct)
memberships
NSA
references
Hardie (1995) 100 Years in Newlyn/Diary of a Gallery
Ruhrmund, F (9 Dec 2010) 'What's On' column, Cornishman, 'Speed and spontaneity'