BALMUNGO

In 1960 Wilhelmina Barns-Graham inherited from her aunt Mary Neish a family home, Balmungo, situated on the outskirts of St Andrews. Since that moment Barns-Graham divided her time equally between there and her home in St Ives, Barnaloft, simultaneously establishing her as much a Scottish as Cornish artist. Balmungo came to be at the heart of her business.

Barns-Graham wished that Balmungo would be the centre for her charitable trust. The house is currently undergoing refurbishment and updating and work should be finished by the end of 2010. This necessary work will enable the Trust to provide public access to Barns-Graham’s life and work, and at the same time rejuvenating the house as a real Victorian family building. Once completed Balmungo will be the hub for the Trust’s activities.

Balmungo will also house the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Archive that comprises her private papers as well as art and other related documents such as her photograph archive. Additionally, the Archive includes her library or art books and art magazines. Use of the Archive will be available by application to anyone interested in Wilhelmina Barns-Graham and 20th century British art.

The Trust is exploring an initiative to create a series of Artist-in –Residence opportunities at Balmungo. These plans are at an early stage and will be posted on this site as and when they become confirmed. This is an exciting concept and one that the Trust is keen to introduce as soon as possible.

Public access to Balmungo will be launched in 2011.