Chelsea Pottery 1952-1997 10-31 May

Posted on Tuesday 6th May 2008

Probably the largest one-owner collection of of Chelsea’s rare figures; press moulded, slip-cast, coiled but mostly hand modelled by a small body of artists. The works are mainly humorous and do include recognisable figures such as Leo McKern as Rumpole of the Bailey and Andrew Sachs as Manuel in Fawlty Towers. The collection also includes two enormous figures each over two feet high, of which, I believe just over a dozen different were ever made. The works will appeal to all especially those from one of the most hated professions, the Law....policemen and lawyers!

The Exhibition runs from 10th to 31st May, all the items are for sale

See videos of The Gallery and Artists

Posted on Friday 11th April 2008

See Tracey-Anne Pryke video.... here

See Vic Bamforth video ..... here

See The Old High Street (just before Christmas 2007)..... here

Vic Bamforth ..... Curiously Optimistic ..... vibrantly painted and blown glass

Posted on Friday 28th March 2008

A selling exhibition of vibrantly painted blown glass .....

"CURIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC"  by Vic Bamforth  5th to 26th April     (preview 4th 6-8, contact me for tickets)

For many years Vic had been self-employed designing and making Stained Glass Windows and Decorative Mirrors before taking a course in hot-glass and winning a scholarship to the prestigious The Red House Glass Cone in Stourbridge and a bursary from Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers of London. 

He has an international reputation having had solo exhibitions and participated in joint exhibitions not only in Britain but also Germany, Japan, India and USA. 

The style and technique that characterises his work is all but unique.  

The basics that drive his work are the dynamics of colour, movement, and the unique properties and qualities of glass itself. Inspiration is drawn from life’s  experiences – people he has met, and the world around him. The blown form has provided him with an ideal three-dimensional canvas to carry expressive, figurative and abstract content infused with a sense of humour.  Vic is a specialist in the “Graal” technique producing one-off  vibrantly painted pieces using high firing enamels. It is this work that is gaining Vic international recognition and is becoming increasingly sought after by collectors worldwide.  

 

".....and a little something else" by Tracey-anne Pryke

Posted on Thursday 20th March 2008

A selling exhibition of paintings “....and a little something else” 
by Tracey-Anne Pryke   
Saturday 22nd March to Sunday 27th April

Tracey-Anne has painted and sketched all her life. She produces a range of work in widely differing styles but all with the vibrancy that a mother of three young children can exhibit when she wins a “get out of jail free card” from her maternal responsibilities!

Much of her love of art is due to her very supportive and inspirational art teachers at the local schools she attended. After school her career paths were arts based and with excellent interpersonal skills she rose to management level before joining the Royal Navy which she was forced to leave after a serious sports injury.

Her thirst for colour, art and food lead her live in Spain for several years where she was able to indulge her desires not only to eat and drink but also to draw and paint. Since returning to her home in Hythe to start her family she has continued to paint and also establish successful small business producing bespoke greeting cards and has recently diversified her talents experimenting with ceramics.

Living locally near the coast her inspiration is not only the seascape and the countryside around her but her love of flowers and organic food which has lead her to capture images of these items in different media on paper, canvas and clothing.