Fake or Fortune. The Art of David Henty in the style of Jean Michel Basquiat

A Jean Michel Basquiat painting “Untitled Skull” sold for $110.5 million during one of the most riveting auction battles in history. It is a painting that bleeds history, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Untitled Skull (1982) portrays a black skull scarred with red rivulets, pitted with angry eyes, gnashing its teeth, against a blue graffiti wall on which someone has been doing their sums. A graffiti-esque style, erratic and easy brush strokes – the epitome of Jean Michele Basquiat’s style. This record sale catapults this deceased artist into the history books with art historians the world over branding him as a pioneer of the Neo-Expressionist art boom (circa 1980s) and one to be revered, wilder than Jackson Pollock, more profound than Mark Rothko.

 

JEAN MICHEL-BASQUIAT, UNTITLED, 1982. ESTIMATE IN EXCESS OF $60 MILLION. SOLD FOR $110.5 MILLION

 

Almost 30 years after his death, with auction houses dealing in his work daily, the Barbican Centre (in the City of London) has put together one of the largest and most significant collections outside the U.S. featuring rare film, photography and archive material. The show captures the spirit of this self-taught artist. With Basquiat now hitting the headlines regularly his notoriety and possibly price bracket will almost certainly rise. Here in the gallery we are showcasing one artist that pays homage to his work. Welcome David Henty. A convicted forger, he has managed to capture the style of Basquiat like no other artist I’ve ever seen. Not only is the work almost identical with every brush stroke, but David Henty has managed to capture the raw, uncensored, and fiercely magnificent passion in his work to recreate undeniably outstanding copies of Basquiat’s art.

 

 

Above image top – Jean Michel Basquiat original

Above image bottom – David Henty copy

 

‘Fallen Angel’ (1981) by David Henty – Original art in the style of Jean Michel Basquiat

 

‘Skull‘ by David Henty – Original art in the style of Jean Michel Basquiat

 

To view these works and many further pieces by David Henty do join us in the gallery

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

 

Aerodynamic engineering crossed with animal and plant. Exciting new sculptures by Adam Warwick Hall

Herringkell MK1

We’d like to introduce you to our new artist, bronze practitioner, Adam Warwick Hall.

We’re really excited to have these pieces in the gallery! Exceptionally crafted with integrity and fine challenging details. There is so much depth to these works – they contemplate not only artifice, but also the natural versus the man-made.

Adam has an incredible understanding of the mechanics of birds and fish. With this knowledge he crafts a unique style, a mix of Aerodynamic, animal and plant.

Below, a modest preview of these gorgeous pieces.

Fork Tailed Devil

An abstracted take on the P-38 lightning bomber.

Herringkell MK 2

Solid Bronze, edition of just 12 copies. All finished with a different colour patination and waxed for outside as well as inside settings.

Ground Effect

Fascinated by aircraft, animals and plants from an early age, Adam trained as a sculptor from 1989 to 1991. On graduating he immediately started work as a sculptor and model maker for the Film and TV industry at Shepperton and Pinewood Studios. He then progressed to specialist work with exhibition and aerospace companies creating one-off pieces, which other trades were not able to make due to their complex curves and diverse materials. In 2010, after 20 years of making all types of shapes and forms in a range of materials for a wide variety of people and companies, Adam set up his own studio near Bristol. Inspired by aerodynamic, organic and animal forms his work as an artist has always been a mixture of biology and mechanisation. Adam’s love of aerodynamic forms fuels his concepts; fusing mechanised structures with organic forms to create his pieces

The Gallery is showcasing furthers works in our studio. Come and see these fabulous pieces in the flesh!

George Thornton Art

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

Gender Pay Gap? Not in this Gallery…

Reported in the Guardian this week the BBC’s gender pay gap is not so much a single chasm as a series of geological fault-lines. The most egregious discrepancy is that top rates of pay are skewed towards men by two-thirds, and that on-air talent is doing remarkably similar jobs for very different rewards.

Lack of opportunity for women is still a very real issue. A lack of senior female figures on the boards of UK business and industry greatly undermines our economy and makes for a perpetuation of male dominated patterns of behaviour in the professional world. So is this the same in all industries? The art-world perhaps?

Gender imbalances continue to plague the art world in 2017 is a matter of fact. However, to employ an old adage, Rome wasn’t built in a day—and we’d be remiss to overlook progress when we see it. Women in the arts today are (finally) getting their turn. Helen Marten scooped this year’s Turner Prize. Georgia O’keeffe ‘Weed and White Flower’ selling for an excess sum of $44 million. Both these facts compound that perhaps gender equality within the art world is reducing? Although George Thornton Art maybe a modest sized gallery within the industry, we do boast an almost 50 / 50 ratio between female and male artists on our books and with prices ranging from £500 to £5,000 these women are certainly making a huge impact on our accounts and with our clients! No gender pay gap either. Its a strict ratio across all our artists. No inequality here, just really great art!

You can view work by our celebrated body of females below and further compositions can be found on our website.

Kirsty Mackay – ‘Transparency’

Jan Nelson – ‘Yellow Peril’

Katy Jade Dobson – ‘Silverback’

Nom Kinnear King – ‘Morna’s Fray’

Rachel Tighe – ‘Eiffel Tower in Spring’

Victoria Horkan – ‘The Shock of the New’

George Thornton Art

12A Flying Horse walk

Nottingham

NG1 2HN

Tel : 01159243555

Mob : 07523323038

www.georgethorntonart.com

Find us here… Art news and information…

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Nottingham : The taking of the Council House

• Depictions of cities have been popular with both artist and audience for centuries. Virtually every movement in art has contained within it works that represent cities and arguably the iconography of these metropolises has been in no small part generated and reinforced by these representations. George Thornton Art would like to celebrate the city of Nottingham. Home to our gallery and in particular a very distinct building; The Council House. This beautiful high domed building stretches 200ft tall and is quintessentially a Nottingham landmark of the utmost distinction and can be seen from miles around. As infrastructure and modernization develops this building hasn’t changed and still is the focal point for the City Centre. The gallery is proud to represent artists that have taken time to pay homage to this building. Let me introduce the work of Alicia Dubnyckyj, Rachel Tighe and Donna Rumble – Smith.

 

• Alicia Dubnycykj is an exciting almost abstract artist who brings a sense of speed and vibrancy to the Nottingham City Centre giving great credence and space to the building itself.

 

• Rachel Tighe seemingly naïve representations at first glance look erratic but if you take time to study the detail you will soon find her structure  of the Council House is much guided and with the courage to offer the sky above a light sea blue, it really makes this building and the surrounding offices stand out.

 

 

Donna Rumbe – Smith in order to create her works, stitched threads are intricately and meticulously woven into paper. Hours spent overlapping threads, folding paper to achieve the architectural form of the dome.

All three pieces are on display, available to view and purchase within our Nottingham space. Also, they are represented online.

George Thornton Art

12A Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN

tel – 01159243555

 

Adam Warwick Hall – Sculptures

Fascinated by aircraft, animals and plants from an early age, Adam Warwick Hall trained as a sculptor, upon graduating he started work as a sculptor and model maker for the Film and TV industry. In 2012 he set up his own studio, inspired by aerodynamic, organic and animal forms, his work as an artist has always been a mixture of biology and mechanization ; fusing aerodynamic structures with organic forms

Herringkel MK1 – Original bronze sculpture with deep sea blue patina (Edition of 12)

Ground Effect – Original bronze sculpture with mottled black patina (Edition of 12)

A Clipping of Wings – Original bronze sculpture with mottled green patina (Edition of 12)

Whanopus –  part whale part Flying boat mounted on a black American Walnut base. This unlike the pieces above is a bronze resin edition. Still to a number of 12.

If you would like to view further works by this artist we have them displayed within our Nottingham gallery and online.

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

Tel – 01159243555

 

An invitation to meet the artist Jan Nelson

The Gallery is proud to offer you an invitation to meet the fabulous artist, Jan Nelson

Exhibition 17th June – 23rd June

Artist Appearance – 17th June (1pm until 4pm)

An exhibition of original Artworks

Whether you are a sailor or not, Jan’s passion for the sport is obvious from her paintings, which capture the tremendous movement, thrills and glorious colours of sailing both in a scenic and racing sense.

In just a few days time we’ll be showcasing a host of artwork by the renowned Jan Nelson. The whole gallery will devote its entirety to this incredible artist. A collection original works plus a number of limited editions that have been individually remarqued by the artist herself.

Solo exhibition starts Saturday17th June and runs until Friday 23rd June. Jan will be in the gallery the opening Saturday; 1pm until 4pm. Do come and join us for a glass of champagne, listen to Jan Nelsons ideas and inspirations.

“Overnight Selection’

Original Artwork : Acrylic on Canvas

For further information or to reserve your attendance do contact the gallery.

Kind Regards,

George Thornton Art

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

Paper Trail

 

Paper Trail – An invitation to attend and exhibition of works on paper.

‘Elizabeth Tower’ by Donna Rumble – Smith

Stitched Treads on to Paper, mounted and framed.

A personal invite to our latest showing. An Exhibition of works on paper. ‘Paper Trail’ brings together a range of artists, who cover a broad spectrum of drawings and mixed media.

Exhibition, Saturday 22nd – 28th April

You are warmly welcome to come and meet a number of artists that opening Saturday 1pm until 4pm. Donna Rumble Smith, Jane Thomson and Darren Stevenson to name but a few will all be present in the gallery to talk about their techniques, ideas and inspirations.

Come and enjoy a glass of wine and view stunning original artwork.

‘Pretectiv’ by Jane Thomson

 

‘Pass’ by Ian Hodgson

The work of Ian Hodgson, is perfect for that peaceful spot in the house.

For more information or to receive the full brochure of artist and works on paper to contact the gallery.

12A Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN

Tel – 011589243555

 

Size matters…

What do we think about buying that piece of art? More specifically what do we think about large statement pieces? Bringing a statement artwork into your home isn’t as daunting as you may think… It has the potential to change your living environment with monumental impact and inspire you to think around further inter design projects within your home or office. It doesn’t have to be that piece which ‘just fills the space…’ Having a statement piece not only finishes off a room design but also shows off your personality and tastes. Depending upon colour and content it has the potential to change your mood and energy.

As we move ever closer to spring and with an element of warmth in the air we have chosen 10 large, vibrant, statement artworks from our portfolio of emerging and established artists

‘Evolution’ by Kirsty Mackay

Beautiful abstract, this work comes presented within a modern, white wooden frame.

 

‘Moss’ by Nick Holdsworth

Original artwork, Spray painted on pixelated paper. Mounted and framed within a gloss white modern frame.

 

‘Me Time’ by Darren Fraser

Straight from the artist studio. This piece is unframed, paint still wet but ready to hang!

 

‘A Full Fleet Start’ by Jan Nelson

Full of energy, Jan Nelsons love of the sea brings energy and life to her work. This piece is beautifully presented within a large white wooden frame and measures 172cm in width by 100 in height.

 

‘A Walk to Big Ben’ by Rachel Tighe

By utilizing her background within an illustration industry, Rachel’s execution of the work is impeccable!

 

‘Atomised in Blue’ by Russell Hatton

30 years in the making… this incredible artist has honed his skills by using industrial paint and transformed the way we view abstract art!

 

‘Ludgate Hill’ by Alicia Dubnyckyj

Alicia Dubnycykj is an exciting artist who brings a sense of the speed and vibrance of her chosen cities to stunning life on her large boards.

‘Bettie Page’ by JJ Adams

This original to the sold out signed limited edition is available via appointment within our gallery. A piece of much content, box canvas, framed within a black modern frame and reaching almost 6ft in height.

 

‘Bettie Page’ by JJ Adams

This original to the sold out signed limited edition is available via appointment within our gallery. A piece of much content, box canvas, framed within a black modern frame and reaching almost 6ft in height.

 

‘Its Elvis F**king Presley’s Gun’ by Russell Marshal

The birth of cool. This lovely silkscreen packs a punch!

 

‘Superwoman’ by Joel Moens de Hase

1000’s of tiny images meticulouslky placed to create one life size image.

For all these works and others view online or visit our Nottingham gallery.

12A Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN

Tel – 01159243555

 

Love Affair with Art. This is what we do…

Some food for thought…

It’s no secret that perhaps Brexit (regardless of your voting persuasion) and the Trump election campaign has hit the retail or art market, hard, but while the big galleries and Art Houses report large sales and growing demand, the rest of the art world is finding life a lot harder. The impact of this could have drastic and far reaching repercussions for the art world, and art investors with a smaller budget. How will this change affect artists trying to establish themselves and the galleries that house their works?

For many artists, it is often that first gallery willing to take a chance and hang their work, which helps to establish them as a professional artist and set them on the road to becoming a renowned name. It is therefore worrying that now, more than ever, these small to middling sized galleries conform, perhaps selling commercial prints and what I consider ‘easy on the eye’ or ‘match my curtains’ art.

Many artists may struggle competing in a market saturated with other artworks, particularly online where some professional and skilled works can get lost in a sea of amateur art. Without this influx of talent traveling into galleries such as mine, the ecology of the art world could be warped into something completely unrecognizable, with no room for artists to move up the ladder and the upper echelons of the artistic world could stagnate with no room for newcomers. Here in the gallery we like to think that we work with our artists. Up and coming talented painters provide us with beautiful pieces and we in turn provide a platform with which to promote and showcase them. Take for example the works of Kirsty Mackay. Utilizing a particular blend of industrial paint and various other ingredients, she manipulates paint onto canvas creating a beautiful marbled effect using a multitude of colour.

 ‘Evolution’ by Kirsty Mackay

Original Artwork: Industrial Paints on Box Canvas. Presented with a large modern white float frame.

£795 (Own Art available, spread the payment over 10 months)

 

For art investors, specifically those on a lower budget, this change could completely squeeze them out of the market, with little growth coming from the lower end, and the top end becoming even more out of reach to them. The small to middle sized galleries offer the chance to pick up new works from emerging talent and the chance to watch their investment grow. Here at the gallery, works sold by Kate Brinkworth and Russell Hatton have steadily increased in retail price over the past few years. Some may argue this is their value and some may argue it’s just a perceived value as again within any business a commodity is only worth what someone is willing to pay, however the facts don’t lie and both these artists works have increased in price.

Why not take a look at what we’re trying to achieve in the gallery. A break from the norm. A chance for collectors to invest in art that may not have the commercial splendour of the John Lewis print but art which is reasonably priced and one that is guided by skill and integrity.

Risk taking galleries like mine are the pioneers of the art world and should not be overlooked; it is at this level that fresh and enigmatic works are separated from the ordinary which in turn keeps the art markets so dynamic.

 ‘The Writer’ by Kate Brinkworth

Original Artwork: Oil on Board

£4,750 (Own Art available, spread the payment over 10 months)

‘Organicolcour ” by Russell Hatton

Original Artwork: Industrial Paint on Aluminum

£3,950 (Own Art available, spread the payment over 10 months)

 

George Thornton Art

12A Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN

Tel – 01159243555

In time for Valentines Day…

Valentines eh? The socially acceptable or moral induced date night… I’m sure (like myself) you have received hundreds of emails popping into your inbox explaining the benefits of treating your loved ones? Therefore in accordance with what can only be considered peer pressure we have highlighted a number of new and exciting pieces of art to coincide with February 14th!

As if you need a reason to buy art?

Enjoy…

“February” by Harry Bunce

Signed limited edition, presented within a modern white frame.

£250 (Own Art Available, spread the payment over 10 months)

The work is also available as a hand embellished limited edition. The artist has worked over the edition, adding flowers and paint before sealing the detail with varnish. For information about this particular artwork do contact us.

“Love Hurts” by JJ Adams

Mr JJ Adams: a quiet unassuming provocateur of the contemporary art form.

Signed limited edition. Beautifully presented within a large card mount and large black modern frame.

£545 (Own Art Available, spread the payment over 10 months)

“Bang” by Mr Go

Signed limited edition

MrGo is one of the prime practitioners with modern day, pop art themed graphics. Combining traditional sketch work with digital techniques, MrGo’s art contains humour and wit, often using word play or visual puns to communicate his point.

“Highland Cow”

Signed Limited Edition

£395 (Own Art Available, spread the payment over 10 months)

For all the information regarding modern contemporary art, possible commissions and art consultancy do contact the gallery.

Kind Regards,

George Thornton Art

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