Press Release
09 | 05 | 22
Neil Davies | Walking the Dog
with ceramics by Matt Chambers
2ndto 30thJuly 2022
Neil Davies |Springtime, Reservoir Cottage
You might assume that painter Neil Davies would be familiar with every detail of the West Cornwall landscape, having walked its fields, footpaths and cliff paths many times over the years, making preparatory sketches for his beautiful paintings. In 2020, though, Neil and his family acquired their first dog, a ‘Border Beagle' puppy named Obi. Having to walk a lively puppy twice a day amid the restrictions of lockdown meant they got to know their immediate locality better than ever before, exploring each and every footpath in all directions within a couple of miles of their house, and taking time to notice the smaller details of the Penwith landscape. As a result, this new collection of paintings, on show at St Ives New Craftsman Gallery throughout July, is an intimate study of nature on the artist's doorstep - with a few jaunts further afield as Obi's size and enthusiasm increased.
The artist says:"Walking at Obi's pace, stopping, doubling back, pausing to chat to other dog owners, I have been forced to look more closely and more often. This new way of looking and noticing has resulted in a deeper understanding of and affection for my home turf, which I hope I have managed to convey in this collection of paintings".
Also on show are ceramics byRoyal College of Art graduateMatthew Chambers, who is known for his highly distinctive work, in which layers of clay and colour enclose more and more layers, resulting in extraordinary sculptural forms. This new collection specifically explores the art-historical tradition of the Mandorla used in religious art, where two circles overlap to form an almond shaped ‘aura' surrounding a holy figure.
Ceramics by Matthew Chambers
For further information contact New Craftsman Gallery, 24 Fore St, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 1HE.01736 795652 | info@newcraftsmanstives.com | www.newcraftsmanstives.com
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Print Ready 300dpi images for press use:
NEIL DAVIES Springtime Reservoir Cottage
MATT CHAMBERS ceramic sculpture
Editors Notes
New Craftsman St Ives
With an international reputation amongst art and craft collectors for its painting, sculpture and quality studio ceramics, the New Craftsman is regarded as one of the most important spaces for contemporary artists in St Ives. Founded in the mid-1960s by Janet Leach, wife of Bernard Leach, it holds an unrivalled reputation as one of the country's leading art and craft venues. Today the gallery's annual programme of mixed and solo exhibitions continues to support the work of Cornwall's and the UK's very best painters and craftspeople.
New Craftsman Gallery, 24 Fore Street, St. Ives, Cornwall TR26 1HE | Tel: +44 (0)1736 795652 |info@newcraftsmanstives.com|www.newcraftsmanstives.com
For further press information or additional images contact Mercedes Smith at Fine Art Communications director@fineartcommunications.co.uk / Tel 07825 270235 / www.fineartcommunications.co.uk
