News from the Grapevine Gallery

Only days to go...

2011-12-18T11:34:00.000Z

Well yesterday was absolutely frantic as many of you will know. There are still a few days left to paint something in the Studio, Wednesday being absolutely the last day to have things back before Christmas. We do our best - but do please check before you start!

If you don't want to paint - or you think you know somebody who might like to, there are always Grapevine Gift Vouchers which can be used either in the Studio or for purchases in the Gallery.

In the gallery there's still a great choice of affordable paintings and prints, some wonderful ceramics and designer jewellery plus cards and wrapping paper. So you don't really need to queue for a City Centre car-park!

We are open until at least 4.00pm on Christmas Eve... for those who like to leave until the last moment!

Just 4 weeks to Christmas...

2011-11-27T13:08:00.000Z

Talking to people over the last few days it's clear that whilst an increasing number of us buy from Amazon and the like, most people still look for something a bit different for presents for their close family and friends - which is good news for us and the other small retailers trading in these uncertain times.

Our aim is to show and sell things that are distinctive and that you probably won't find easily elsewhere. We are obviously getting some of this right - looking at the rate at which work from new makers has been going out of the Grapevine in the last few days. We do have an excellent range - including some fantastic new ceramics arriving from potter John Wheeldon in the next few days.

Hopefully they should be here soon and we feel they will prove popular. As usual at this time of year we are open every day, with the ceramics studio proving extremely busy over recent weekends. We try to accommodate everybody - but it really does help if you phone first so that we can even things out!

Festival of Architecture Exhibition - last chance

2011-10-27T14:42:00.001+01:00

Over the last couple of weeks we have been pleased to host a small exhibition as part of the Festival of Architecture in Norwich and Norfolk. Featuring the work - paintings and drawings - of two local architects, Trevor Price and Vaughan Keal as well as watercolours by Gerard Stamp it has attracted visitors from all over the county.

Trevor's work is new to the gallery and been the cause of some interesting conversations - with a degree of confusion as we also show the work of the London artist and printmaker, Trevor Price! However Trevor Price RIBA is not him, but he has exhibited at the Royal Watercolour Society and with The New English Art Club.

Alongside some of his paintings, Vaughan has shown some of his architectural drawings. As with our exhibition with David Rock earlier this year, the perception of the connection or difference between the art and the design has been varied. Suffice to say, both have attracted positive comment.

Gerard Stamp's watercolours are, of course, well-known to most who have viewed the exhibition. It is now over 6 years since that first one-man show with us in 2005 but as a regular customer noted "he just seems to get better and better". We are now in the early stages of planning a major exhibition of new works for Autumn 2012, but in the meantime there are some real gems on show here.

The exhibition runs until the weekend....

Society of Wood Engravers - back again!

2011-10-21T12:16:00.000+01:00

We are delighted to confirm that we are again hosting the national exhibition of the Society of Wood Engravers. The new show - the 74th Annual Exhibition - opens on Sunday 6th November and runs for 3 weeks.

Nearly 9

2011-09-01T16:20:00.000+01:00

Hard to believe but Grapevine is nearly 9 years old. We first opened the doors in October 2002 with just a handful of artists and a few hand-made cards. The photos from those days do reveal a very empty gallery and lots of wide open spaces. All very minimal - and actually relatively easy to maintain.

Very early on - probably little more than 6 months after we opened, I remember on one of my forays into the west country being genuinely taken aback to find that a gallery which had in part inspired the Grapevine's style had changed, almost out of recognition. It did however still have the character that had drawn me to it. At the time I was slightly puzzled, but now have come to realise - at least in part - why.

One of my favourite potters, Laurence McGowan, once told me that over his long and distinguished career he had recognised that taste in art is like the tide, it ebbs and flows. For artists and craftsmen, this presents a problem as skills developed in persuance of one style are not easily transferred to another. For galleries, however, change in relation to the state of the tide of taste is not only easier but essential. The secret is to change whilst maintaining the essential character.

Looking at Grapevine today, it has changed significantly, offering a range of work well beyond those early days - but, we are told, our style and character has been maintained - inclusive and welcoming. The ceramics studio which has been there since Day 1, has seen the tide ebb and flow but is now enjoying a period of sustained growth - and crucially bringing in more and more new visitors and customers for our artists. Which was, of course, the original idea!

So what of this 9th year. In the very near future we are hoping to build on the success of the exhibition by Kevin and Ann-Marie Ryan in Burnham Market and show some of their most recent paintings in Norwich. October sees an exhibition as part of the Festival of Architecture in Norwich and Norfolk including some of Gerard Stamp's most recent paintings.

Beyond that, the Society of Wood Engravers are keen to return with their latest national exhibition. Dates for this are yet to be confirmed but it's currently looking like November. And then it's Christmas.

Digging the road up

2011-06-23T16:11:00.000+01:00

It's that time again. The powers that be have decreed that Unthank Road shall be dug up again, and relaid again so that in due course they can come back and do it all again.

Some of our neighbours are - quite justifiably - upset by all this. Can't say we're overjoyed but it isn't quite as bad as some of things businesses have to put up with. It does however cause me to ponder just how little support (!) small businesses actually get from Norwich. I fully appreciate that these works are necessary but their management hardly inspires confidence and the official response to business concerns is not particularly sympathetic.

Given the consensus that small individual businesses are a good thing and to be encouraged, it would seem not unreasonable to give some relief on business rates while these things go on... and on! It might even encourage a speedy and long-lasting solution.

Cards, Cards, Cards....

2011-06-04T12:24:00.000+01:00

When we first opened - nearly 9 years ago now - we sold a very small number of handmade cards. I recall on one of my visits to see some of our west country makers being slightly disapproving when one of my regular haunts seemed to start having more cards than ceramics.... However, we also now stock a seemingly ever-expanding range (although I think we still have more ceramics!) and they just keep selling.

From the artist's point of view, it's a great way to get their name more widely known and I was delighted to learn from SUE CAMPION whose paintings and cards we sell, that she has just added some of that wonderful printmaker MYCHAEL BARRATT's work to her card range. These should be with us in the next day or so, along with two or three completely new ranges - so come and have a look.

Society of Wood Engravers

2011-05-30T12:46:00.001+01:00

The new exhibition of work by members of the Society of Wood Engravers posed an unusual (for us) problem. Despite the fact that Grapevine is in most people's eyes a large gallery, hanging over 120 small works by such a number of artists posed particular questions in terms of groupings and associations. Anyhow the end result seemed to satisfy the pleasingly well-attended opening on Wednesday.

From our point of view it is a pleasure to be able to host a national exhibition of such quality and we are looking forward to further collaborations in the future.

Hanging an exhibition

2011-04-14T13:51:00.000+01:00

Each time a new exhibition opens, the same question crops up. How do you hang it? How did you decide what goes where? Last night at the opening of Geoffrey Robinson's new show was no exception. Even the artist asked me!

A bit like painting, I imagine, there is no formula. It's a mix of intuition, instinct and inspiration - but as I told Geoff, my starting point is normally selecting one or two pictures for particular locations and then going on from there. Some exhibitions are easier than others, and with Geoff's 'Tabletop Ruminations' some are just a delight. Fortunately, this delight has been shared by everyone I have spoken to thus far. If you can't actually visit, the catalogue is available on-line at http://bit.ly/hqntn9.

At the end of a long day, we finally closed up and set off in search of sustenance with the artist. Not as easy as you might think. The quixotic '103' continued in its own idiosyncratic way, having all the signs of nervous exhaustion, saying they simply couldn't contemplate any more cooking. The Mulberry had decided there was no food available - this pre 9pm. So off we went to Roti, another Norwich establishment with remarkable variation in what their customers think of them. We thought it was excellent; the artist finding it difficult to recall a better indian meal. So, on this occasion, Grapevine gives Roti a 5* rating!

It's a beautiful day

2011-03-29T14:16:00.000+01:00

Nearly April! Everything in the garden's going nuts - including the birds. Just two weeks to our next exhibition - with new paintings from the wonderful GEOFFREY ROBINSON.

On my way to collect them very shortly - and the invitations are just about to go out. The opening is Wednesday evening 13th April, and Geoff is joining us. So if you want to meet the man behind the pictures now's your chance!

Architects at the Grapevine

2011-03-14T14:23:00.000Z

Great to see so many at the opening of David Rock's most excellent show. Probably more architects at an opening than for many a long day. Very interesting to see how the watercolours work with the drawings, and as many pointed out, how extraordinary to note that nearly 60 (!) years separate the oldest and the most recent. A number of our guests found this puzzling; at least one was overheard to say that the exhibition featured the work of two artists!

Star of the show is undoubtedly the remarkable 'Festival 51', David's homage to Piper. Prints of this and the other drawings are available to order. The quality is fantastic... and you can choose what size suits you.

Painting Architecture - Update

2011-02-18T11:43:00.000Z

The invitations to the opening David Rock's exhbition are being sent out now. If you would like to attend please contact the gallery to add your name.

Sue Campion

2011-01-31T16:26:00.000Z

It's always good to meet an artist whose work you've admired over the years. Sue Campion found us last summer when she visited Burnham Grapevine and paid us one of the biggest compliments she could have when she likened us to the late, great and very much missed David Kitchin of Rowley Contemporary Arts.

After a couple of hiccups - freezing weather and an inability to bend sufficiently to get in the car - I finally made it to her studio a couple of weeks ago, and we are so pleased to have just a taste of her work in the gallery. Do come and have a look, it really is very good!

Painting Architecture

2011-01-25T15:04:00.000Z

Just to whet your appetite

David Rock's exhibition of paintings and architectural drawings opens on Sunday March 6th.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-08T12:22:00.000Z

2010 proved to have a number of surprises for us... but here we are and 2011 is looking good. A number of new artists will be exhibiting with us in the next few months and in a first for us, we are delighted to be hosting the National Annual Exhibition from the SOCIETY OF WOOD ENGRAVERS in May. This will be the first time their exhibition has visited Norwich and it looks sure to attract a lot of attention.

Before then, in March we have a retrospective exhibition from a good friend and long-time supporter of the gallery - DAVID ROCK - who will be showing not only his distinctive paintings with their thoughtful exploration of colour, texture, weathering and detail but also a selection of his architectural drawings.

City Lights

2010-10-22T13:42:00.000+01:00

Our new exhibition of paintings by FIONA FRENCH has attracted considerable interest - hardly a surprise! Each time we show Fiona's work it just seems to get better. The work used to advertise the show , 'Sunset and the Strip" sold very quickly, and could have been sold a number of times. It just goes to show that art of real quality is always appreciated. If you haven't seen the exhibition yet, it's on for another week. Curiously, the general view is that these paintings look at their very best under artificial light - which I suppose, given the exhibition's title, is what you might expect.

New art workshops for the Autumn

2010-09-03T15:39:00.001+01:00

Our new programme of workshops running through October and November is now open for booking. Subjects on offer range from Painting and Print-making through to Embroidery and Jewellery. Tutors include HAZEL HORSPOLE and SUSAN CARIELLO. Further details can be found on the website http://www.grapevinegallery.co.uk/artworkshops-nor.html and you can book by phone or just call in to the gallery. Course fees including materials start at £10.

Claire Brewster

2010-08-14T11:12:00.001+01:00

Latest arrival in the gallery is work by Claire Brewster - one of the most interesting and exciting artists I have come across recently.

Claire's work is about retrieving the discarded, celebrating the unwanted and giving new life to the obsolete. Using old and out of date maps and atlases as her fabric, she creates intricate, delicate and detailed cut outs.

Taking her inspiration from the environment, Claire creates entomological installations of flora and fauna from imagined locations. Cut-outs of birds, insects and flowers are pinned either directly on to the wall as a large scale installation or captured in box frames. The shadows created when light is shined on them gives them a 3 dimensional quality and creates a feeling of movement.

A big day for your diary

2010-06-30T20:22:00.000+01:00

It's now possible to get the first idea of what the new ground floor gallery space will be like. Completion is scheduled for August with a formal re-opening in early October and a major exhibition of new work by FIONA FRENCH. Looks like it will be Wednesday October 6th so if you want to be there... keep that evening clear!

Need cheering up?

2010-06-23T16:05:00.000+01:00

Wimbledon, the World Cup - and The Budget? Strange times we live in. Fortunately we have the antidote, with lots of lovely new things in the gallery. Birthdays?, End of Term Thank You?, Exams?... we have the answer. Recent arrivals which you might like to consider include Hannah Turner's characterful and very affordable birds - we love the owls - and some more of Julian Spencer's fabulous clocks.

Or if that's not quite your style, how about a restrained piece of Antje Ernestus's beautiful porcelain work (below centre). Always popular - with us and our customers - are Margaret Gottschalk's birds and we have just received a few more. They don't normally hang about, so be quick!

Conservation and Restoration

2010-06-12T15:43:00.000+01:00

The latest addition to our armoury is offering Picture Conservation and Restoration. Be it a 18th century Dutch painting in need of complete restoration or simply a repair of a damaged historic frame, we can now help - offering the services of a full member of The British Association of Paintings Conservator-Restorers. Phone or call in for further details.

Progress! - and news of a major exhibition

2010-06-10T12:49:00.000+01:00

Good to report that the building works are underway and that hopefully it won't be too long before we are back using both halves of the ground floor! We have a very exciting exhibition planned for later this year, with a new collection of fantastic paintings by FIONA FRENCH. In the meantime, don't forget we are very happy to show you paintings and prints from our substantial reserve collection.

Rachel Barker at the Grapevine

2010-06-04T13:18:00.000+01:00

Coming towards the end of another busy week in the gallery, amongst the latest arrivals are the stylish and distinctive ceramics of RACHEL BARKER.

We have admired her work for some time, but this is the first time we have had her designs at the Grapevine. Following 10 years of designing and making ceramics Rachel teamed up with a pottery in Stoke on Trent, to produce traditional English earthenware but with a fresh, contemporary feel. It looks and feels good and fits in very well with the feeling of these fantastic early days of June.