Alan Cotton MBE, a Westcountry artist known for his palette knife technique and royal connections, is returning to Devon with a new exhibition of landscapes from the Otter Valley and North Devon. The show, held at Kennaway House in Sidmouth from April 28 to May 4, marks his first public gallery showing in the region since 2015. Cotton, who once served as tour artist for King Charles when he was Prince of Wales, has works in the King's collection and exhibited at Buckingham Palace in 2025. His early life included homemade paint brushes made from his mother's hair, and he later became a BBC presenter and honorary professor at the University of Bath.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the enduring career of a locally revered artist who bridges royal patronage, charitable work, and regional identity. Cotton's return to Devon landscapes after international expeditions—including trips to Mount Everest—underscores his deep connection to the Westcountry. The show also reinforces the cultural significance of small public galleries like Kennaway House in sustaining local art scenes, while Cotton's MBE and honorary doctorates reflect the broader recognition of regional artists in the UK.