Finally spring is in the air!

From Monday 12th April the gallery re-opened with a fresh show of paintings, prints, ceramics, jewellery and textiles.  Our re-opening show SPRING FORTH presents new work by gallery artists and introduces new artists’ work along with fresh ranges of cards, stationery and paper goods. We look forward to welcoming you back to Bradford-on-Avon!

We are pleased to present a new series paintings by Alex McIntyre, new prints by Gillian Garnica and introduce the work of new artist Ros Johnson to the gallery.  Jewellery by new designers Alys Power,  Pauline Edie and Vanessa Coles along with a new range of cards and stationery by Ariana Martin and Jo Blaker.  

Alex McIntyre has shown with Quercus Gallery since 2017.  Her paintings capture a sense of the feeling of being within the landscape. No matter on what scale she is working Alex’s paintings never fail to lift and inspire.  Over the years we have known the artist she has been evolving and expanding her techniques using ink and gesso on birch ply.  These new works have wonderful gestural marks, layers of texture and colour, evoking spring clouds, white spring light and damp blue grey earth.  Alex is based in Hertfordshire and paints from her studio at Waterhall Studios, near Hitchin.

Gillian Garnica (née Thompson) showed with Quercus when the gallery was based in Bath and we have been following her work since.  Gillian is a highly skilled print maker who works as a Technical Instructor in the Print Centre at UWE and is a Tutor and Editioner at Spike Print Studio.  We are thrilled to welcome Gillian back to Quercus’ group of artists this year.  We have three large framed prints currently on display with another collection of unframed pieces available from 28th April.

Ros Johnson is an interdisciplinary artist, working across mixed media, painting, drawing and textiles.  Her improvisational approach to process creates interesting tension between mediums, resulting in visual manifestations of control and release.  Quercus will be showing some of Ros’ new textile pieces and small works.  Read more.

Pauline Edie is a Glasgow School of Art Graduate who trained at Bishopsland Educational Trust.  She has exhibited at the National Museum of Scotland, Collect at the Saatchi Gallery, amongst others.  Pauline has won multiple awards, including the Dewar Arts Award, The Incorporation of Goldsmiths’ Award and the South Square Trust Award.  Pauline works from her studio at Coburg House, Edinburgh, in addition to working at Edinburgh College of Art.  Her work is characterised by bold design and creative use of materials.

Alys Power graduated from The University of Derby in 2004 with a BA in Sustainable Design and Practice. Since then she has worked as a jeweller, maker, designer and artist in a variety of roles. She completed an MA in Contemporary Craft at Nottingham Trent University in September 2016.  Alys works in a range of materials – metal, wood, stone, acrylic – exploiting material qualities to create a visual narrative. The elemental character and inherent variations in the natural materials create a tension and contrast against the cold perfection of the man made.

Other new work includes a beautiful range of printed cards, wrapping paper, notebooks and printed textiles by Ariana Martin and some brilliantly illustrated cards, prints and paper goods by designer Jo Blaker.  We have also had a re-stock of excellent stationery and gifts by Studio Wald plus a host of lovely cards by Hadley Paper Goods are also available.

Amongst our collections of textiles I am delighted to re-introduce Holly Berry’s beautiful morse code woven wraps and we have a new selection of cushions and hot water bottle covers designed by Harriett Grist.

From tiny acorns…
As part of our re-opening show we have gone back to our roots and curated a small collection of pieces inspired by all things Quercus so if you are a fan of anything related to the might oak tree, however tiny, do come along and explore this collection.  On display are prints by Kate Millbank and Kathy Hutton, a beautiful jewel-like painting by Debbie George, Suzanne Potter’s special new Quercus jewellery collection, acorn cup inspired jewellery by Karen Parker along with cards and printed textiles by designer Ariana Martin, illustrated cards and stationery by Jo Blaker, some perfectly shaped oak leaf leather key rings and stunning brushed brass hanging leaf decorations by jewellery designer Maike Browning.

Opening week:
Monday 12th – Saturday 17th April
Open 10.30am  – 4.30pm

Thereafter:
Open Wednesday – Saturday and also by appointment.
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 10.30am – 2.30pm
Saturday: 10.30am – 5pm

We will require all visitors to wear a mask and observe social distancing when visiting the gallery, thank you.