Yew Tree Gallery
current show
10th April – 21st May 2018
CAROLINE BAILEY SUZY FASHT DEBBIE PROSSER
REECE INGRAM PETER FLUCK NORAH KENNEDY
ANNIE HEWETT HELEN NOCK LAURA BAXTER
ARDYN GRIFFIN
Spring – with all it promises – sets the scene for the paintings, sculpture, ceramics, mobiles, willow-work, jewellery and puppets in this first exhibition of the season.
Spring Morning mixed media 66 x 77cm |
An artist of many years’ standing, CAROLINE BAILEY now lives on the isle of Skye where the clarity of light enhances her favourite subjects of flowers and the Scottish landscape, giving vibrancy to the colours she uses. Although in essence descriptive, her paintings are mainly concerned with shape, colour and the layering of textures, expressed in a semi-abstract way. Caroline is an elected member of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour.
Sunflowers in Yellow Jug mm 70 x 70cm |
Jonquils & Tulips by Moonlight mm 60 x 60cm |
Pink Lilies mm 66 x71cm |
Grape Hyacinth mm 23 x 20cm |
Hellebores mm 20 x 21cm |
Anemones on Red mm 66 x 76cm |
Spring Flowers 32 x 32cm |
Hyacinth in White Pot mm 46 x 43cm |
Green Boat, Kyle mm 22 x 22cm |
Houses, Ulinish Bay mm 36 x 36cm |
Celtic Moors mm 29x30cm |
The Pendeen Watch, West Penwith mm 25x28cm |
Terra Sigillata vessels |
DP34 Leaf bowl 20cmd x 10cmh |
An enterprising, entrepreneural potter, DEBBIE PROSSER first worked with earthenware at Penhalvean, Cornwall, where she built her own workshop and kiln and set up a printing press, publishing hand-crafted books. Stimulated by a residency in China after she moved nearer Penzance, she started working exclusively in porcelain. Now fully mastering this tricky material, she throw beautifully formed one-off pieces, decorated with the medium of ‘terra sigillata’ mixed with oxides and under-glaze colours, giving scope for her illustrative talents.
3 leaf vases |
4 Spring beakers DP16 |
DP15 spouted bowl 16cm d |
DP26 Shallow leaf dish 25cm d |
DP20 Lime vase, DP17 Snowdrop, DP18 striped |
DP27 Fish plate 25cm d, DP13 Fish bowl 24cm x 7cm |
DPd Fish Jug |
Gardens and her Dartmoor surroundings are the main source of SUZY FASHT’s subjects.
Drawings done on the spot are transformed in watercolour, oil or egg tempera into more imaginative paintings ~ using colour as the Fauves did ~ to convey mood and atmosphere. Suzy studied Painting at the Royal Academy Schools, followed by many awards and commissions. She has been selected for the R.A. Summer Exhibitions over several years.
F21 Digging Deep oil 100 x 100cm |
SF2 Path through a Wood w/c 26 x 28cm |
SF9 Harvest Moon w/c 26 x 28cm |
SF20 Up on the Moor oil 60 x 97cm |
SF5 View of a Garden w/c 24 x 19cm |
SF13 Garden Bed w/c 26 x 28cm |
SF18 Waiting for the Hollyhocks gouache 32 x 50cm |
SF12 Meadow w/c 23 x 26cm |
SF19 Conversation between 3 Trees oil 51 x 51cm |
SF4 That kind of Day w/c 38 x 36cm |
Working with slipware gives ANNIE HEWETT scope to use a drawn line in combination with freely painted colour – a skill attained through her BA in Graphic Design at St Martin’s School of Art in the ‘60s. Her love of textile designs by such artists as Ravilious and Edward Bawden in the ‘50s give an illustrative quality to her ‘retro’ range of tableware.
Annie is a Member of the Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen.
AH3 Square mugs – earthenware |
AH12 Gratin Dish |
AH10 Large Bowl |
Plates and cereal bowls |
‘Retro’ small, medium and large Jugs |
Shelves of Annie’s slipware pots |
Intrigued by shape, movement and form, ever inventive PETER FLUCK has created a series of mobiles which are suspended from the ridge beam in the gallery. The component pieces are assembled and balanced to create ever-changing three dimensional drawings. These freely connected parts allow multiple freedom of movement as the air wafts through the room.
PF4 mobile acrylic 33” x 33” |
PF6 mobile acrylic 36” x 32” |
PF9 mobile acrylic 55” x 37” |
PF2 mobile acrylic 44” x 35” |
PF7 mobile acrylic 44” x 36” |
PF8 mobile acrylic 42” x 42” |
PF3 mobile acrylic 35” x 35” |
In similar vein, albeit on paper, are his Calligraphies. These elegant flowing forms without linguistic meaning can be seen as a ‘surreal abstract expressions of calligraphy’. Well known for his founding role in the legendary ‘Spitting Image’ satirical TV programme, Peter has subsequently worked as an artist in a variety of mediums (always with dramatic results!) from his studio on the Lizard.
PF callig. 5 ink on paper |
PF callig. 4 ink on paper |
PF callig. 7 ink on paper |
Equally graphic in style are LAURA BAXTER’s ‘drawings’ in metal. From her childhood days in the Lincolnshire Wolds, she always enjoyed making tiny objects.
Captivated by the delicate features of plants and nature led her to study and gain a BA Hons in 3-D Design at Manchester University. She subsequently set up the first of her workshops to make intricate mixed metal jewellery for which she is now well-known internationally. Her detailed observation of plants and birds gives her the skill to abstract and simplify her images without destroying the verisimilitude of their origin. Most of the jewellery in this collection combines silver with 18 ct gold.
LB 3 oval bird brooches |
LB36 Large Allium brooch |
LB Honesty brooches |
LB Bird earrings on twigs |
LB Honesty and Wisteria pendants |
LB Bird bar pendants |
REECE INGRAM is a sculptor - of wood and stone - whose notable commissions over the years include large sculptures for the Eden project, Grizedale Forest and the Princess Diana Memorial playground in London. However, in 2012 he acquired a kiln and began to “play with clay” – enjoying its plasticity as an alternative to the obdurate quality of stone. His chosen themes still stem from nature, and his experimentation with incised line decoration, colour, patination and texture has led to a whole new realm of exciting, work. Reece also teaches Ceramics at Truro College where he delights in “teaching adults and children new skills and sharing my joy in the natural world”.
RI 30 The Quick Brown Fox |
RI 7 Brock |
RI 19 Red Bull |
RI 13 Spitfire Bird |
RI 31 Red Spats |
RI 33 Spitfire Bird 2 |
RI 2 Black Necked Grebe |
RI 28 Creek Wader |
RI 26 Razorbill |
RI 36 Blue Bird |
RI 29 Fieldfare |
RI 5 Thrush |
RI 14 Bull finch |
RI 3 Gold finch |
RI 11 John Dory |
RI 27 In the Deep Sea |
RI 15 Quail |
RI 24 Wren |
RI 4 Wheatearl |
RI 17 Goldcrest |
RI 20 Joker |
RI 9 Bunting |
~ and staring imposingly around the walled garden is Reece’s Pelican, carved out of Carrara marble. Reece saw him in the creeks near Truro – blown off-route from Canada!
RI.37 ‘Odysseus’ |
NORAH KENNEDY has been weaving willow baskets professionally for over 30 years, after studying the work of basket makers in England, Ireland and Poland. This craft appeals to her farming background for its combination of natural materials, traditional skills and for making baskets that are “right in themselves and good for use”. She sources most of the willow from Somerset, and the more unusual colours from Herefordshire. Her range includes baskets of many different styles and uses. Norah lives in Stroud where she teaches day and residential courses, as well as working to commission.
Potato hopper & small basket |
Willow log baskets |
Selection of willow baskets |
Working in a disused stone quarry surrounded by wildlife, HELEN NOCK creates most of her outdoor sculptures, tables and birdbaths from reclaimed slate, inlaid with stained glass and sometimes small pebbles or beachcombed objects. Inspired by ancient standing stones – especially those that emerged during the crossover from Paganism to Christianity, she has carved for PRIMAVERA three tall structures based on Sun Worship. The glass apertures are at eye level and glow with unexpected luminosity at the right angle to the sun. Working in tune with nature, Helen favours slower hand-driven methods of working, rather than modern technologies.
Crucis slate & glass |
Sun worshipper (Primavera 1) slate & glass |
Small Henge table slate & glass |
Square Henge table Slate & glass |
Spring Regis table & stools |
Sun Cup 1 slate, glass |
Sun Cup 2 slate, glass |
Aspects of the exotic and unusual have always featured in ARDYN GRIFFIN’s work, whether in paintings, ceramics, narrative decoration of tin chests or papier maché sculptures – and now she is weaving stories and characters into puppets which pop up on a stick surrounded by their painted papier maché habitats! The amusing aspect of these creations, however, in no way belies their artistic merit. After training at the Ruskin School of Drawing, Oxford, Ardyn gained a Distinction in Fine Art at Goldsmith College, London, among other awards. She lives in a C16th cottage with a huge garden with chickens, guinea fowl and peacocks.
AG1 Sally Sapnose |
AG3 Dorelia |
AG2 Primrose |
AG5 May Crossway |
AG6 Dorothy |
| all mixed media, with papier maché painted cones | |
Also on display is ALEX MALCOLMSON’s ‘Rain Goose’ – an elegant Red throated Diver, whose habitat is the northern isles of Scotland
Rain Goose, side 1 |
Rain Goose, side 2 |
| 65 x 21 x 30cm carved, painted wood | |
and another Platter by MARK HEARLD, which proved so popular in our last exhibition ‘Northern Lights’ ~
Flying Gull – slipware 38cm diameter |
No Yew Tree Gallery exhibition would be complete without an offering from JOHN MALTBY! We have a delightful new collection from him this month; a few are illustrated:
JM36 Two Figures and a Tree 23 x 18cm |
JM37 King of England 25 x 16cm |
JM39 King with Bobble Earrings 22 x 9cm |
JM46 Flying Swan plaque 25 x 25.5cm |
JM41 Lined Man, Wise Owl |
JM20 Serious Wise Man |
JM 47 Lady Gardener plaque 19 x 31cm |
JM10 Guardian Angel 25cm high |
JM 8 Curly-haired Angel 25cm high |
A welcome newcomer among our Printmakers is MICK MANNING, whose unusual ‘pochoir’ prints are on display in the browser ~ here are a few:
MM3 Spring Curlews |
MM1 Whooper Swans |
MM4 Blue Merle Lurcher Pup |
Extra jewels have arrived from GINA COWEN and GUY ROYLE and RITA SERES.
Images can be sent as email attachments to anyone interested in their latest work.
And last, but not least, we are supporting through sales and donations in this exhibition the ‘Nomad Return Project’ through the Charity ‘Heart of Asia’. This is to enable Tibetan nomads who have been coerced into bleak resettlement villages near the edges of towns where there is no use for their skills, to return to the land and continue their self-sufficient lifestyle, moving their herds of Yak from pasture to pasture in harmony with the seasons. Poverty and crime are rampant in the settlements. To enable families to embrace their life of freedom and self-sufficiency once more, the Project funds starter herds of Dri (female Yaks) for the poorest nomads. The cost of a Dri with baby is £350.
The Charity has for many years helped vulnerable communities in remote Eastern Tibet, working closely with their respected leaders.
Nomads return, with Yaks |
Nomad tents in high pastures |
Resettlement village, Tibet |
I hope you enjoy all we have to offer in this first exhibition of the season! The next at Yew Tree Gallery is ‘In Arcadia’, curated by Miranda Leonard, which runs from 3rd June – 28th July 2018.
Gilly