Art Gallery

The art gallery is a feature of the Wharf which is much respected not just within the town community, but on a national scale, exhibiting work by local and international artists. Since the Wharf Gallery opened in 1996 we have hosted major art exhibitions and we always welcome enquiries from exhibitors. The gallery is organised by our resident arts consultant Chris Burchell who brings a wealth of experience in the art world to the Wharf.

Artists, Painters, Photographers and Sculptors from Germany, France, Holland, Spain, Finland, Greenland, Azerbaijan and the USA have joined us here in Tavistock to display their diverse styles and put forward their artistic points of view. As well as individual artists, local schools, art societies and groups have featured in our programme. The Tavistock Group of Artists, Artists in Cornwall, The Nebula Group and Gwynngala have all mounted exciting and successful shows.

Housed in the Wharf, The Gallery is supported and surrounded by many other interesting activities. West Devon Borough Council and Olympus Optical Limited have generously supported exhibitions by renowned British photographers such as David Bailey and Barry Lategan. Photojournalist Nick Danziger has also exhibited during the period of his TV series on Channel 4.

The Wharf Gallery has earned a high reputation for its leading edge exhibitions featuring artists such as Barrie Cook, attracting viewers all over the UK. We invite further sponsorship from private and public bodies.

The Wharf Anthology collections of poetry, stories and drawings by Wharf artists, poets and illustrators are available from the Wharf Box Office or direct from the publishers at foghanger@hotmail.com. Postage and packing is charged at 50p.

       
     

Programme

2012
January	Mixed Exhibition - Richard Albon, Chris and Yvonne Burchell - Paintings
February	Bert Bruins - Landscape Patterns Since being given a set of oil paints in his early teens Bruins has had a fascination with stark contrasts, both in figurative work and in abstracts, and has played with the opposites in the colour-circle ever since. In this overview of work of recent years he will be showing both West country landscapes (Dartmoor, coastal, the worked land) as well as abstract pattern work. At first these may seem rather disparate subjects, but by including work of close-ups from nature he hopes to show that patterns are everywhere, and that there is a natural progression from seemingly random nature to the repeating patterns of, say, a mandala. It is often in repetition that we recognise and appreciate what is in front of us. Bert Bruins loves walking and sketching, but in practice, weather and his own temperament often drive him back to his studio. Out of habit more than anything he works predominantly in oils and acrylics, and they do lend themselves very well to the colourful contrasts he aims to create. Bert grew up and lived in the Netherlands until the age of 25, and has been living in Devon now for some 20 years.
March	David Gray - Paintings As a schoolboy, David Gray took art lessons on a Saturday morning at the Glasgow School of Art and later continued his stufdies at evening class. One of the important lessons he learnt was that good draghtsmanship is at the root of all good painting. This is something he has always tried to keep in mind, sharing the same opinion on Modern Art as Sir Winston Churchill. His love of the hidden corners of the English landscape and the many moods of nature are a constant scource of inpiration. Should the problems of the modern world sap his energy levels, Gray finds solace in the contemplation of the work of Paul Nash and the Brotherhood of Ruralists. This retrospective exhibition during March evokes Gray's dedication to the spirit and harmony of the great English landscape. A Catalogue will be available, and an illustrated biography, published by The Garage Press will be on sale.
April	Trudy Redfern - Equestrian Artist - Paintings Trudy Redfern, originally from South Devon, studied Fine Art at College then became a teacher. She studied Animal Behaviour at Southampton University and then focused on painting animals, particularly horses, now broadening to landscapes, all forms of wildlife and the human figure. A lifelong horse rider (her first pony was from Dartmoor), she has played polo, exercised racehorses and owned ex-racehorses. She is deeply involved in the plight of retired racehorses and Dartmoor ponies. Indeed this exhibition aims to raise awareness of the Dartmoor Hill pony and part of the proceeds of the sale of paintings will benefit the Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony. The exhibition is a celebration of the breeds and character of these horses - from their gentle tranquillity to their speed and strength. It will also feature other animals and wildlife scenes. Trudy has had solo exhibitions in Belgravia, London, exhibits with the Society of Equestrian Artists and as well as various galleries also exhibits at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood where she will be an Artist in Residence in 2012. She has been Artist in Residence at Fontwell Park Racecourse, The National Greyhound Rehabilitation Society, Lambourn Trainer’s Day and The British Horse Society Jubilee celebrations. She was commissioned to paint the Christmas card and calendar for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. Trudy's preferred medium is oils and mainly works from many initial sketches, and wherever possible painting in situ from life. She accepts commissions, recently completing commissions for the owners of Royal Applause, standing at the Royal Stud at Sandringham and also for Tim and Lucy Henman's horses. For more information, visit www.trudyredfern.co.uk.
May	Gwynngalla Art Group - Mixed Exhibition This dynamic local art group is based in and around Launceston, Cornwall. Returning once again to the Wharf Gallery, they display an exciting collection of paintings, drawings and prints based on the stunning landscaspes of Bodmin and Dartmoor.
June	Sandy Carter - New Paintings
July	Fiona Waddy - Landscape Paintings
August	Louise Cohen - Photography
September	Diane Bailey - Wildlife Paintings Internationally known artist Diane comes to Tavistock for the first time to display her stunning wildlife paintings. Her paintings of eagles, and other birds of prey are held by collectors world wide.
October	Terry Dormer - Photography Internationally known artist Diane comes to Tavistock for the first time to display her stunning wildlife paintings. Her paintings of eagles, and other birds of prey are held by collectors world wide.
November	Lisa Woollett - Paintings
December	Caroline Keane - Paintings As well as actively serving her community as a councillor and Mayor, Caroline has pursued her muse and developed her skills as an artist. Her unusual paintings are displayed in the main gallery for the first time.

Further details about our forthcoming exhibitions may be found in the Wharf magazine, published bi-monthly. Invitations to private views may be obtained by emailing chrisburchell@tavistockwharf.com