Alice Kettle – The Shape of Touch
Textile Art, June 19 – July 1

Sylvia Kopecek – Shake the Cloud
Pastels & Paintings, July 17 – July 29

Clyde Hopkins – Indian Yellow
Paintings & Prints, September 25 – October 7

As in 2011 we will be hosting three one-person exhibitions between June and October. Again colour is a strong feature of the work but the three artists for 2012 all offer very different attitudes and approaches to colour.

Alice Kettle - Ruko 2011, Photo Joe Low

The textile artist Alice Kettle will be showing in June. She uses thread and stitch to create complex and often multi-layered works. The rich, strong and uncompromising application of colour adds value and depth to the imagery. The imagery is figurative and her art is primarily populated by human figures who participate in narratives which reference personal experience, histories and myths.

Sylvia Kopecek - Falling 2012

Sylvia Kopecek is showing pastels, paintings and mixed-media works in July. Merciless mark-making and a dynamic depth of colour characterise an art that avoids sentiment and reflects upon common objects and circumstances. The development of layers in each piece, through the overworking of marks and the use of different materials, encourages the viewer to enter and engage with the work.

Clyde Hopkins’ paintings and prints conclude the programme during late September into early October. The prints are, unusually now, oil-based and are executed by Advanced Graphics, London. The emblematic forms in the work act as reminders or coded references to the world around us, gathered knowledge and recollections. The artist astutely manages his chosen vocabulary by articulating each colour, surface and type of mark into a vivid and distinctive totality.

Clyde Hopkins - The Silver Age 2011

Each one of these artists has found an individual language that enables them to attempt to address and lay down their response to experience. Each is linked by a delight in colour, colour that is rich and deep and particular to the chosen medium of thread, pastel or oil paint.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, and ‘like’ us on Facebook (links below), and watch out for further announcements and information on the upcoming exhibitions.

Last year saw Merston Gallery show Peter Kalkhof’s work. He now speaks exclusively to Merston Gallery about his work, aesthetics, and philosophy.

Merston Gallery was recently compared to a shoe box: white, clean, bright, and has something beautiful and desirable inside. The interior belies the external appearance – it seems much bigger than is possible. From the gallery we look out on a rural landscape dominated by the neighbouring medieval church: a pervasively bucolic setting, and a landscape both expansive and intimate in character.

The gallery is starting to stir from its dormant stage, and preparations are underway for the 2012 exhibitions.

We have three artists coming up this year, and we’ll be announcing the full programme soon, so look out for the announcement. Suffice to say that the three upcoming exhibitions are linked by a rich fabric of colour. Please continue to visit the website for further information. Look out for our advert in the Pallant House Gallery Magazine to coincide with the opening of the first show.

Meanwhile there is more exhibition news to share. Adrian Wiszniewski, after a very successful show at Merston Gallery, has just finished his run at the Albermarle Gallery in London. If you missed it, then visit their website to view a magnificent range of his work. After showing with us last year, Peter Kalkhof has an exhibition at the Annely Juda Gallery in London March 15 until April 28, so make sure you get down to see it.

Finally, residents and visitors to Chichester should pop in to the Otter Gallery to see The Ingram Collection of Modern British Art running from March 2 until April 15 which includes work by Caro, Burra, Gill and Hepworth.Two other exhibitions of particular interest for visitors to Merston Gallery are brown madder, recent paintings by Clyde Hopkins, at Chelsea Futurespace, February 14 until April 1 (an auspicious choice of dates) and LOSS, a collaborative exhibition/installation by Alice Kettle and Jules Findley in the north transept of Chichester Cathedral, February 18 until 29 March.

Make sure that you are on our mailing list for the 2012 exhibitions and we look forward to seeing you late spring/early summer.

Sad to say, but we’re closing for the Winter. As the nights draw in we’ll be hibernating and planning for next year. We’ll be open again in late Spring 2012, so keep an eye on the website, like us on facebook and follow us on twitter for updates and news. The gallery might be closed but preparations continue.

If you missed any of the quality shows in 2011 then check the artists out here and search elsewhere on the internet for further information. If you missed out on acquiring a work then the gallery can communicate your interest to the artist. Adrian Wiszniewski is tucked away and busy near Glasgow, Hunt Emerson is involved as ever with the Beano and his graphic novels plus he has just released another record, whilst Peter Kalkhof is committed to preparing for his London one-man show in 2012.

Everything we do at Merston Gallery is the result of careful decision making with thought for quality, context, the community and accessibility. A primary objective for the gallery has been to bring significant art into the community and share the work in an open and friendly manner. Visitors have been charmed by the gallery setting and delighted by the exhibition space. People have taken advantage of the opportunity to engage with the work and many enjoy the chance to discuss issues raised. It is an intimate and welcoming venue, open to all.

We’d like to thank everyone who visited and supported the gallery in 2011. During 2012 and 2013 we will continue programming constrasting one-person shows which will be accessible to all, but which also prove to be challenging. So, please continue to visit the website, sign up to our mailing list if you have not already done so and see you next year!

Colour and Space

13 – 25 September 2011

Peter Kalkhof is coming to Merston Gallery. His powerful paintings truly have that ‘WOW’ factor. This September’s exhibition is a must for your diary.

Kalkhof skilfully articulates space and displays a mastery of colour in his non-representational paintings. These are stunning works which reflect on nature, cultures and societies and the role of the individual.

Merston Gallery is taking a slight breather during the month of August – Andalucia beckons – but we are back in September.

We wish to thank all those who have supported the gallery during the first two exhibitions. It has been a delight to meet you all and share the work on display. Many visitors have commented that the chance to see quality art in such a setting is an absolute pleasure. Others have observed that being able to really spend time with the exhibits and have the opportunity to discuss the work is a real bonus. All have expressed delight and surprise when stepping into the space and discovering the contrast that exists between the outer appearance and charm of the building and the fresh contemporary gallery interior.

We have set out to bring three very contrasting shows to Merston in 2011. In June Adrian Wiszniewski’s printmaking accompanied by two large paintings proved to be inspirational. In July Hunt Emerson balanced humour, deftness with a brush and ink and a plethora of incidental detail in his drawings for cartoons and graphic novels.

Our third exhibition is in September. Watch out for the coverage in the press and on websites such as Chichester Creative Network, South Coast Design Forum, and Creative West Sussex and of course on this website. So do come to see our next exhibition – see our facebook page for a clue as to the artist – and if you have not already signed up to be on our mailing list do so and receive an invite to the next opening preview.

The Hunt Emerson exhibition at Merston Gallery is here to match with the Mervyn Peake show at the Chichester University Otter Gallery.

Both exhibitions are of mostly black and white illustrations on paper: entertaining, demonstrably clever and totally absorbing. Emerson works with a brush and ink whilst Peake used pen and ink. See illustrations for ‘ The Hunting of the Snark’ by Lewis Carrol at Chichester University and the comic strip of ‘The Sinking Ship’ by R L Stevenson at Merston. Be engaged by the drawings for ‘Captain Slaughterboard’ and buy a copy of the illustrated poem at the Otter Gallery then visit the Merston Gallery, see the drawings created in response to Casanova’s memoirs and purchase a copy of the graphic novel ‘Casanova’s Last Stand’ or, if that is too challenging, then how about ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’?

Peake offers some colour with a range of works which include The Crocodile and The Camel and there is PussPuss and an amazing group of painted plates in colour from Emerson. Carry on reading »

It was good to see so many friends, colleagues, artists, collectors and of course new people coming to the gallery to see the latest exhibition. How refreshing, to see people talking to each other who had just met. We envisaged the gallery becoming a hub for people to meet and get to know each other whilst enjoying seeing some art and design which is rewarding.  Let’s hope we continue to provide an inviting environment where people meet  and enjoy each others’ company. If you haven’t visited Merston Gallery we can guarantee that you will receive a warm welcome.

Within the first three hours of the exhibition opening almost half the original work by Hunt Emerson had sold. There was a high level of demand for Hunt’s drawings for Casonova’s Last Stand; Lady Chatterley’s Lover and drawings for other of his graphic novels.

A highlight of the opening was not only collectors’ interest in the work but the family appeal as Hunt deftly completed personalised cartoons and signings for his graphic novels: comic books, which were very popular with younger visitors.

The exhibition is open to visitors for the next 2 weeks with a special evening opening on Thursday from 6-8pm with a glass of wine. If you’d like to attend, the event is free.

35 Years of Big Noses

2 July – 16 July 2011

Hunt Emerson is coming to Merston Gallery. Come along and see a stunning collection of the original drawings for his cartoons and graphic novels including Ratz, CityMouth, Thunderdogs and Casanova’s Last Stand.

His work always offers surprise, entertainment and a challenge to preconceptions.

Hunt Emerson has been a successful freelance cartoonist for over 35 years and his work has featured in a wide range of publications including the Radio Times, Time Out, Fiesta, and the Beano. His graphic novels/comic books have been translated into a dozen languages.

Adrian Wiszniewski, Reading Allowed, 2010, gouache on paper