Banksy. Do we invest?

Last week saw the opening of his latest exhibition. At a hotel nestled against the controversial barrier wall separating Israel from Palestine, Banksy has transformed the building with art and sculpture synonymous with its geographical and historical positon. Although it’s fair to say it will be critically analysed over the coming weeks with both good and bad reviews, one thing for certain is that Banksy is back on top of the art world. The honorary top spot was compounded by the fact that yesterday Sotheby’s sold a piece ‘This is a pipe’ for £285,000. A sum double its estimate.

Banksy is certainly hot property so let’s speculate as to why he continues to take the art world by storm. One might suggest his ideas are current and mainstream, incorporating a humorous stance residing within international cultures outlining war, consumerism, social media and politics. Others believe his success to be predominantly based upon a supposedly discreet identity. I personally believe his success is down to sheer skill in delivering the concept and by this I don’t mean his ability to stencil and spray paint onto a wall but to continue to create works that intrigue and inspire the entire globe. The old saying of letting the art do the talking is obviously paramount here and echoes forth with regards to the simply staggering effect Banksy has had upon the art market throughout his career.

So, down to the facts. A lot of people feel that Banksy paints on walls and or occasionally creates murals for A List celebrities, however obtaining a piece of art by Banksy doesn’t have to be that difficult… Here in the gallery we are exhibiting unsigned and signed works by Banksy. Over the past decade Banksy has released much signed work into the market. He created a number of limited editions that have become incredibly collectible, the most sought after being the famous ‘Girl with Balloon’. A piece (in good condition) is worth up to £70,000 on the open market. Not a bad investment considering its initial retail ticket was around £200.

As I mentioned there are a number of pieces in various galleries and adorning the walls of collectors. Some more exciting and deemed more collectable than others. The gallery is pleased to announce a number of signed and unsigned pieces by Banksy are on display. You are welcome to view works below with further more in our studio. If you would like information regarding his works or any particular pieces do contact us.

‘Pulp Fiction’ by Banksy

Released in 2004 and signed by the artist.

This work is presented within a large card mount and modern black frame.

£16,000

 

‘Grannies’ by Banksy

Released in 2006. This work is an unsigned, limited edition by the artist.

This work is presented within a large card mount and modern black frame.

£6,000

 

‘Morons’ by Banksy

Released in 2007. This work is an unsigned, limited edition by the artist.

This work is presented within a large card mount and modern black frame.

£7,000

Kind Regards,

George Thornton Art

12A Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN – Tel : 01159243555

 

The British and our Love Affair with Modern Art

Post war artists were experimenting, frustrated by a global situation over which they had no control. The ability and need to answer questions and break rules had never been so prevalent and it was with this mind set that modern and therefore conceptual art was born. This movement created a trendy, cosmopolitan audience for contemporary modern art. A form that although at the time provided artist and dealers with incredible monetary gain,  at that time the idea of modern art was not exposed worldwide and certainly not enjoyed by all.

The problem with modern art is the same problem we all face when encountering something new, which is comprehension. It doesn’t matter if you are an art lover, creator or academic, if you don’t understand you tend to switch off. Now 50 years ago when Modern Art and by that I mean art of a conceptual nature i.e. ‘Pop Art’ or ‘Abstract’ was hitting the headlines in America the British were taking a stance of denial. In true British fashion we erred towards a conservative view of the movement – sticking to what we knew worked, sold and what we liked. Rapidly moving forward, Britain’s position on modern art has changed dramatically.  Possibly enhanced by dealers like Charles Saatchi and show rooms like the Tate we now find ourselves embracing the conceptual movement and providing platforms not only for some of the greatest known living artists but also those younger, emerging stars of the future. We host the Turner prize which, up until 1991 was deemed not important enough for the general public to understand, however, after a televised showing of the competition, it was soon understood that us Brits do love a bit of Modern Art. Maybe we have changed our psychology? Maybe we have changed our views, as internationally known artists born and bred in this country are now touted as legends of the  modern generation. Something to give us credence and an emblem to be proud of. Whatever the reason, fundamentally the British public have become a nation of modern art lovers. Embracing and showcasing our ideas to the world. This is certainly compounded by the huge spend and investment the government is now ploughing into projects such as the development of ‘Tate Modern’. A ‘Free Entrance’ art gallery which encourages art lovers from all over the world to enter and enjoy what us Brits deem fit to be considered modern art of international standards.

George Thornton Art prides itself on offering a range of art from different movements and we’d love to share our artists, modern, abstract or figurative with you.  Call in or call us – we have superlative art in an independent gallery.

“Atomised” by Russell Hatton

Industrial Spray Paints on Aluminum

Original Artwork

£3,950

 

“Bang” by MrGo

Signed limited edition, gold leaf hand embellished print on paper.

(Edition of 25)

£295 Framed.

 

“Space Cadet” by Darren Fraser

Oil and Pencil on Box Canvas

Original Artwork

£1,750

 

George Thornton Art

12A Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN – 01159243555

 

 

Katy Jade Dobson. A touch of Monochrome?

What is it about monochrome? It never seems to go out of fashion, it never ages and it never fails to capture the imagination.

One of the best exhibitions I ever had the pleasure of visiting was the ‘Picasso Black and White’ held at the Guggenheim in New York back in November 2012.  The work was displayed beautifully and with the building itself a gleaming white edifice, contrasting elegantly alongside Picasso’s creations.

It is perhaps this simplicity and clarity that draws the viewer in, offering an element of creativity to the viewer that may not other wise exist. There is an untapped excitement in the ability to add colours and fill spaces with the mind creating your own subjective meaning to each piece that would otherwise be coloured in for you.

It would not be unfair to say that as a result black and white pieces tend to have a timeless appeal that allow them to adapt to a changing world around them. Fitting into new moulds whilst still resonating with a notion of the moment in which they were created to capture.

It is with this idea in mind we take a look at new work by the talented artist Katy Jade Dobson. A usual trait of this artist is to brush her canvas with colour however on this occasion she has purged her recognizable uses of reds, greens and purples from the art in order to highlight the formal structure and autonomy of form. An extremely difficult task as she works with a few base paints to create movement and life on to a static canvas or board. Although predominately black and white Dobson cannot resist a hue of colour to enhance the monochrome structure. Her ability to allow shadows to flow free is incandescent of her talent as an artist.

 

New works include ‘Harmony’, ‘Composure’ and ‘Dignity’.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact us  by phone 01159243555
or view works online – Katy Jade Dobson

George Thornton Art

12A Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN

 

 

Stitched threads on Paper… Donna Rumble – Smith

Nottingham’s very own Donna Rumble – Smith plies her trade starting often with handwritten letters, poems, stories and thoughts of the past, the present and of the future. These ideas blend and evolve to create installations, artists books and wall pieces. Quite often the concept dictates what the work will become.

‘Piccadilly Memphis’ – Original artwork, stitched threads onto paper.

Donna’s work intends to capture special moments and reflections of conversations which are personal and intimate; about journeys and people.

Incorporated within the work Donna includes architecture allowing structured patterns to flow through the paper, giving a beautiful depiction of city living.

‘Bristol Harbourside’ – Original artwork: Stitched threads, acrylic and pencil over layered with poetry text, inked onto transparent paper

 

‘The Shard’ – Original artwork, stitched threads onto paper.

Art by Donna Rumble – Smith is on permanent display in our Nottingham gallery. We will also be exhibiting her work in Bristol for the Affordable Art Fair which runs 8th – 11th September. For tickets do contact the gallery  – 01159243555

 

George Thornton Art
12A Flying Horse Walk
Nottingham
NG1 2HN

E.Mail – george@georgethorntonart.com

Skin Deep. For the love of a Skull…

For centuries skull imagery was the main focus of mainstream artistic endeavor. Egyptians, Greeks and the Romans were famed for treasuring the skull and thus depictions of skinless facial features have been excavated for 1000s of years. By the 16th century skulls were becoming so central to European culture that, with a largely illiterate proletariat, depictions of skulls informed and educated as well as decorated.

So why do we love the skull? Well, certainly we can relate to one, after all we all have one, a shell structure that has evolved over millions of years which protects our most vital organ, exquisitely designed. However, the skull itself is far from a pretty object and why should it be..? Maybe it’s the fascination with its role in the human form as opposed to its aesthetic composition that is what fascinates us the most. At one point in art history all works of the skull were dark and macabre, possibly an insight into the harsh reality of living conditions in the Middle Ages. However, moving forward to the modern day, the skull is certainly an object of desire – the current love of skulls as a motif has never been so prevalent, guided by the some serious players in the world of fashion and art like the late Alexander McQueen and Damien Hirst.

Moving forward to the current time, skull imagery in art and its use as a device to engage the audience in the comfort of the familiar, whilst challenging perceptions, is a common occurrence.

From my point of view, as much as I love skull art, I do like my artists to push boundaries and try and incorporate an element of beauty within the work – and not just attempt to add commercial value to the commodity of their art. A juxtaposition (if you will) of showcasing something perceived as morbid and crossing this concept with elements of beauty. A selected number of my artists below have done just that using humour, flowers and even diamonds to not so subtly embellish an essentially macabre object associated with death and the human condition. I think they have achieved, each in their own way, a device to enable us to contemplate our respective fates in a surprising and strangely pleasurable way.

All works are on display in the gallery now.

Mr Go : “Love you to Death”

Signed limited edition on paper, mounted and framed. (edition of 25)

£295

 

 

Christopher Green : “Red Bug”

Hyper Realism, Original Oil on Board

£2,500

 

Louise McNaught : “Born to Die”

Signed limited edition on paper. Edition of just 50 and presented within a black card mount and modern black matt frame.

£200 (unframed) or £350 (framed)

The gallery is showcasing this beautiful edition as well as the original painting entitled ‘Origin of Symmetry’

Magnus Gjoen : “Rose are Dead, (broken)”

Signed limited edition on paper. (edition of 50)  Presented within a card mount and modern black gloss frame.

£700 (unframed) or £835 (framed)

For all the updates follow the gallery on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Find us online or pop in and say hello!

Kind Regards,

George Thornton Art

Katy Jade Dobson; New Spring Collection “21 Grams”

‘Flamboyant’
Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.
Edition – 75
Price – £395

 

The time has come… The heavily anticipated and long awaited new collection by the incredibly talented artist Katy Jade Dobson. We are thrilled to be exhibiting her new collection ’21 Grams’!

A painting is the artist’s sigh on a canvas, the silhouette of their shadow, and their 21 grams. (Katy Jade Dobson)

Below is a sneak preview as to what we can expect from this fabulous artist…

‘Bellicose’
Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.
Edition – 195
Price – £395

Physically, this collection is about texture and atmosphere. Years of techniques, new avenues and an ache to work on her subjects in such a way has driven Katy in a fabulous and awe inspiring direction

‘Ego’
Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.
Edition – 75
Price – £395

‘Own Art’ available. Spread the payment over 10 months, interest free. Contact us for details.

‘Devine’
Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.
Edition – 75
Price – £395

‘Devine’
Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.
Edition – 75
Price – £395

‘Eminence’
Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.
Edition – 195
Price – £395

‘Eminence’
Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.
Edition – 195
Price – £395

The colours seemed to happen by themselves, I don’t remember ever deciding to work in so much colour. As I have adapted my craft I think I have managed to handle the pigment much better and use it in a way that I enjoy. But I also love working with a darker palette sometimes. My inspiration with colour is Odilon Redon, a French abstract painter who I learnt about at school. I have many books of his work, and his whimsical backgrounds and the way he puts colour together has been a huge inspiration! (Katy Jade Dobson)

‘Opaline’
Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.
Edition – 195
Price – £395

For the complete collection do contact the gallery

12A Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 21HN

george@georgethorntonart.com : 01159243555

www.georgethorntonart.com

The Art of Harry Bunce!

Harry Bunce has been billed as the painter to collect in the new millennium. New artist Bunce takes inspiration from our favourite woodland creatures. Rabbits, Foxes even Mice and gives them a modern twist. By reclaiming these icons and reinventing them, Harry’s work breathes new life into old friends and makes us regard them with fresh eyes. Cute? Maybe, but they’re rarely cuddly…

Below, please find the gallery preview to his collection. For further information contact us – george@georgethorntonart.com

“Tommies”
Signed limited edition screen print. Edition of 64.
Presented within a contemporary off white wooden frame.
Framed dimensions – 35″ x 27″
£420. Own Art available, No deposit followed by 10 monthly instalments of £42.00.

His works have been described variously as ‘Bucolic Street Art’ and ‘Potter meets Tarantino’ – a reclusive country cousin of the Bristol art scene..? Not really – Harry is hard to pigeon-hole, he lets his characters do the talking…

“Fallen” 
This piece has been shot with a 12 – guage shotgun to give the work a totally unique feel.

Signed limited edition screen print. Edition of 64.
Presented within a contemporary off white wooden frame.
Framed dimensions – 35″ x 27″
£420. Own Art available, No deposit followed by 10 monthly instalments of £42.00.

“Home Front”

Signed limited edition screen print. Edition of 64.

Framed dimensions – 27″ x 33″

£420. Own Art available, No deposit followed by 10 monthly instalments of £42.00.

“Front Line”
Signed limited edition screen print. Edition of 64.

Framed dimensions – 27″ x 33″

£420. Own Art available, No deposit followed by 10 monthly instalments of £42.00.

 

For further information contact us on
01159243555 : george@georgethorntonart.com

George Thornton Art

Unit 12A, Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN

http://www.georgethorntonart.com

 

From time to time, Art faces controversy.

 

Since humans began to make art, it has always been a creative form that is a hot bed of interpretation and criticism; from Picasso’s ‘Guernica’ to Harvey’s infant portrait of ‘Myra Hindley’. So why the need to create controversy and, in this day and age when internet access has allowed images to be showcased on a grand and un-mediated scale, how controversial can or should we become? Granted Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 take on ‘Clockwork Orange’ clearly demonstrated his intention to shock the audience. Now, fast forward 35 years and the concept of shock horror is a widespread and regular occurrence. Now most artists don’t want to alienate future clients per se, but acknowledge that controversy is a fine mechanism to encourage people to talk about an artist or piece of artwork. The art industry like any other business thrives on PR and marketing. I suppose the fine line is to attempt to provoke a reaction but not one that goes far enough to put a buyer off of actually purchasing the piece. To stimulate debate and to make the audience feel something – anything is in the hands of the artist themselves and in their judgement and execution of their work .

In the democratic marketplace of ideas, controversy over a work of art can arise from different interpretations about the meaning of a work. It can arise from different perceptions of the context in which a work is presented. It can arise from where people find their comfort zone begins and ends.

Below are a number of pieces that.. let’s say err on the side of caution as opposed to provoke outright controversy.

 

‘Zola Psyche’

By JJ Adams
Signed limited edition on Paper
£495 (framed)

‘Coco de Mer’
By Xue Wang
Original Oil on Board
£4,950 (framed)

Own Art available. Purchase with an interest free loan. Contact us for details.

‘Splendor Veritas’
By Joel Moens de Hase
Photographic Mosaic
£3,450

Own Art available. Purchase with an interest free loan. Contact us for details.

Thousands of images of undergarments create the ideal of a Nun.

‘Adam and Eve’
By Dean Kemp
Original Mixed Media Sculpture

New work by Dean arriving in March. Register your interest by contacting the gallery – george@georgethorntonart.com

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

George Thornton Art

Unit 12A

Flying Horse Walk

Nottingham

NG1 2HN

01159 243 555

www.georgethorntonart.com

JJ Adams; New collection!

JJ Adams; Worldwide phenomenal artist emerges with astonishing  new pieces!

His early work was ephemeral, overturning preconceptions about the status of  ‘Art’ whilst addressing political, social change crossed with pulp fiction and modern society.  In shockingly simple, visceral performances, he shook the conventional art world and took the new art form to as-yet unparalleled extremes. With this new collection he pushes yet more boundaries engaging collectors with breath taking effects!

Exterminate : Darlek X – Ray

Signed limited edition to just 45 copies

Presented within a large card mount and ornate black frame.

Priced at £945 (Own Art available, no deposit followed by 10 monthly instalments of £94.50)

Great Scott : Delorean X – Ray

Signed limited edition to just 45 copies

Presented within a large card mount and ornate black frame.

Priced at £1,020 (Own Art available, no deposit followed by 10 monthly instalments of £102.00)

Clarke : Superman X – Ray

Signed limited edition to just 45 copies

Presented within a large card mount and ornate black frame.

Priced at £945 (Own Art available, no deposit followed by 10 monthly instalments of £94.50)

To view the complete collection join us online or speak to a member of the gallery for further information

Tel – 01159 243 555

E:mail – george@georgethorntonart.com

George Thornton Art : 12A Flying Horse Walk : Nottingham : NG1 2HN

Splash of Colour! Welcome new work by Katy Jade Dobson.

Wildlife….

The natural world is so full of wonder and we can all tell tales of times we have been surprised, awed and inspired by its power. This week we discovered the winner of this year’s National History Museum Photography of the Year competition ‘A tale of two foxes’ captured by Don Gutoski.

Gutoski’s entry beat competition from 42,000 other entries from around the world, including images taken of a Bryde’s whale and a newt on the surface of a stream. The natural world is prime fodder for artistic inspiration and many artists see recreating these scenes as a challenge worth taking on.

Vibrant and talented Katy Jade Dobson is just one such artist. Using a palette of vivid colours and a subtle technique to apply oil onto board, beautifully capturing the movement and energy of her wildlife scenes.

Dobson has recently presented the gallery with three new pieces capturing the the graceful interactions between animals of the same species. Set to a mono tone background, Dobsons colourful creations jump at their audience and present a majestic dance between the animals. These signed limited editions pick out the traits of well known animals such as the graceful movement of a smack of jellyfish or the hectic movement of a charm of hummingbirds, and translate their presence onto our walls.

‘Flutter’ by Katy Jade Dobson

‘Hummingbirds’ by Katy Jade Dobson

‘Bloom’ by Katy Jade Dobson

Katy’s minimalistic, semi-abstract forms depict both movement and emotion of a captured moment.

For the chance to experience the work first hand do visit the gallery or contact us for more information
01159 243 555

12A Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN