The Gallery Upstairs
Winter Exhibition '08
The Gallery Upstairs, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire is situated a few miles north of Stratford-upon-Avon on the A3400 and is within a few minutes drive of the Midlands motorway system for the M1, M5, M6, M40 and M42.
The gallery was first opened in 1985 by Reg Moon and now holds two exhibitions a year, with an ever growing mailing list of approximately 2500. Exhibitions are well attended with good sales. Established in the Midlands as an important centre for exhibiting British contemporary art and craft, the gallery likes to promote the work of young people 'setting out' alongside well established artists and craftsmen.
The main gallery is 45' x 18' and has good natural lighting with a relaxed atmosphere. It overlooks a cobbled courtyard which was once an Elizabethan coaching inn and has an ancient Yew arch leading to the garden - ideal for showing work outside.
The Winter Exhibition will be from the 18th to 29th November, 2008.
Torquil was established as a family business in 1960 and comprises a high street shop with a workshop at the back of the property. Reg Moon produces stoneware pottery decorated with ash glazes which are made by burning privet and willow cuttings from the garden. These glazes produce subtle, earthy colours which compliment the stoneware shapes. He also makes fine white porcelain and sometimes mixes coloured porcelain with it to produce agate ware. Jayne Lucas, who also works here, makes paper clay vessels; their decoration is inspired by ariel views of landscape. Carey Moon makes and decorates porcelain dishes using abstract shapes and pictures inspired by fish, birds and still life subjects.