PISKI TELLS THE CORNISH LEGENDS is an unfolding, cross-media project that retells Cornwall's magnificent folkloric tradition through animation, books and live story-telling.
I am Sheridan James Lunt, an artist living and working in Bristol UK, and I have made animating Cornish legends my passion. I began learning Cornish Folklore while living in Falmouth. The tradition comprises an alternate history in which all Cornwall’s dangerous beauty and melancholy desolation play out in the lives of celebrated Cornishmen and Women whose very names have been remembered. For those who know and love this country, these stories are the heart and soul of Cornwall.
Piskeys are the otherworldly fairy-folk of Cornwall. I named my film company 'Piski Films' in recognition of the profound and dramatic influence that Cornwall has had upon my creative life. I learnt to draw as an adolescent in the Painting School of St. Ives, and I earned my degree in Fine Arts at the Falmouth College of Art. My animated series 'Piski Tells...' now recounts five classic Cornish stories. New episodes are forever in development, each more ambitious than the last. Since the first animation 'Giant Bolster' was completed in 2014 the project has grown significantly, encompassing painting, poetry, an illustrated book, and also with a live show currently in development.
In August 2018, Kowethas an Yeth Kernewek: The Cornish Language Fellowship made it possible for the animated series to be translated into Cornish, for all speakers and learners of the language to enjoy. It is with tremendous excitement that I am presenting these animations in the beautiful and ancient language of Cornwall.
Several versions (including subtitled uploads) are now available, and the bilingual text has been made available on this site for study and learning.
In October 2018, a crowdfunding project was successful in producing a first edition of the 'Piski Tells' picture book, which retells nine classic Cornish folktales with 30 full colour illustrations. The book is now available on the blurb bookshop.
​
