They bought an old bakery and turned it into one of the foremost destinations in the UK for modern design enthusiasts.
Tremayne Applied Arts specialised in 20th century design and was one of the first specialist galleries in the UK outside London, also strongly supporting contemporary crafts with regular exhibitions of new furniture and ceramics.
Scandinavian design, modern prints, St Ives school paintings and studio ceramics – the emphasis was on good design and how these objects could work together. After my mother’s death in 2005 Tremayne carried on with the help of dad’s second wife, Eileen, until it finally closed in 2014.
My father was a regular at the London contemporary ceramics and design sales and he travelled nationwide to source items from both private collections and auctions, becoming good friends with many of the auctioneers, specialists and collectors he met on his way.
St Ives stalwart
He was a member of the Tate Committee, a supporter of the St Ives Festival and was heavily involved with the Leach Pottery and the St Ives Trust.
A two-year battle with cancer finally came to an end this March but dad never lost his passion for antiques and art, regularly reading articles and discussing antiques with the various doctors and specialists he met.
Indeed, his passion for the arts and life was contagious and anyone who had the chance to spend five minutes or five hours in Tremayne would walk away having learnt something new, or having imparted their knowledge onto my father who was always so keen to learn more himself.
His enthusiasm and energy is something I hope we can all embrace in our own lives.
Alex Tonkinson
