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

 

 

Long awaited… anticipated and over due… The Art of JJ Adams

This exciting young artist is touted as being the ‘Next Big Thing’ on the British art scene. With his challenge to the heart of British cultural values – members of the Royal family displayed with full sleeve tattoos, iconic buildings such as Buckingham Palace depicted defaced by graffiti, Adams strikes at the heart of our cultural consciousness with his work.

In the same way that Banksy became the art world’s darling, filling the vacuum left by the end of the love affair with the YBAs, Adams is making a name for himself, aided by Wishbone Publishing, with his phenomenal output.

Adams and his Publishing house have kept a tight lid on this new release. A task easier said than done with press, galleries and collectors all chomping at the bit to be given the opportunity to view and reserve work as soon as possible.

Welcome… to the new collection…

JJ ADAMS

‘Warhol’s Marilyn’

Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.

Edition – 95

Price – £545

Own Art Available. No deposit followed by 10 equal monthly instalments.

‘Skeletor’s Revenge’

Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.

Edition – 95

Price – £545

Only one ‘Skeletor’s Revenge’ remains in the gallery… Tel – 01159243555 : george@georgethorntonart.com

‘Still Life – With Mogwai’

Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.

Edition – 95

Price – £545

Own Art Available. No deposit followed by 10 equal monthly instalments.

‘Mission From God’

Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.

Edition – 95

Price – £545

Own Art Available. No deposit followed by 10 equal monthly instalments.

‘Self Preservation Society’

Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.

Edition – 95

Price – £495

Own Art Available. No deposit followed by 10 equal monthly instalments.

‘People’s Princess’

Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.

Edition – 95

Price – £545

The gallery has just one final copy available. Do contact us – 01159243555

‘Spoonful of Sugar (Colour)’

Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.

Edition – 95

Price – £545

Own Art Available. No deposit followed by 10 equal monthly instalments.

‘Spoonful of Sugar’ (Black & White)

Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.

Edition – 95

Price – £545

Own Art Available. No deposit followed by 10 equal monthly instalments.

‘Knights of Disorder’

Signed limited edition silkscreen print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.

Edition – 95

Price – £545

‘Broken Heart’

Signed limited edition print on paper. Presented in a large deep card mount and ornate black frame.

Edition – 95

Price – £495

All works are available on line. Please note that the collection sold out within minutes after being released via his Publisher and we only have a limited number of pieces here to exhibit. Do contact us with regards all availability questions.

JJ Adams – Complete Collection
George Thornton Art

12A Flying Horse Walk,

Nottingham

NG1 2HN

http://www.georgethorntonart.com

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

The Art of MrGO

 

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 and entertain. While at first glance, MrGo appears to be bound to purely aesthetic in modernist discourse, references to consumerism are plentiful however it’s his apparent underline agenda that takes precedence. A wry humour flows through his portraits allowing the viewer to debate life, death, emotional consequence and acceptability.

Drawing on influences of photo-realism, graphic art & surrealism, the detail he manages to achieve within his work is impressive – most look like photographs. The guiding principles of his method are impulse and eclecticism. It’s only when you look closely you notice the hand developed details and quirks that embellish his digitally drawn subjects.

Celebrated works are now on display. The complete collection is available online, however to appreciate the inspiring details within the work do visit our Nottingham Gallery.

MrGo

“Love you to Death”
Signed limited edition to just 25 copies.
£295 framed. Presented within a slim off white card mount and modern black frame.

 

“Its for You”
Signed limited edition to just 45 copies.
£295 framed. Presented within a slim off white card mount and modern black frame.

 

“The Great Escape – Acquiesce”
Signed limited edition to just 45 copies.
£295 framed. Presented within a slim off white card mount and modern black frame.

View the full collection online or in our gallery

George Thornton Art
12A Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN
Tel : 01159243555 : george@georgethorntonart.com

‘Held’ – Duo show with Nottingham artists: Donna Rumble – Smith and Jane Thomson.

George Thornton Art would like to cordially invite you to the opening of our upcoming exhibition. A duo show with Nottingham artists: Donna Rumble – Smith and Jane Thomson.

Exhibition: Saturday 16th April – Friday 22nd April
Opening Reception: Saturday 16th April : Meet the artists 1pm – 4pm

‘Held’ will be a show displaying the various sides of these two Artisans, this reflective exhibition aims to share the scope and diversity of intricate work, showing just how much can be achieved using unique and experimental techniques.

Donna Rumble – Smith, in order to create her works, stitched threads are intricately and meticulously woven into paper. The basis of which have been painted or imprinted upon. The guise has a strong emphasis on city living, beautiful buildings that adorn our skyline.

Jane Thomson, Pours an amass of collage, poetry edit and paint onto paper. Artworks are heavily worked and only realized through careful contemplation.

Although two very different artists, producing very different work they are both bound by one key fact. ‘Held’ or ‘the holding together’ of materials which resonates throughout their work.

Both artists will be in the gallery from 1pm until 4pm on Saturday 16th April. This will be rare chance to witness breath taking and complex original art.

‘St Pauls’ by Donna Rumble – Smith

‘Nottingham Council House’ by Donna Rumble – Smith

Study for ‘What you say’ by Jane Thomson

‘Held’ by Jane Thomson

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the gallery

George Thornton Art
12A Flying Horse walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN
01159243555 : george@georgethorntonart.com

www.georgethorntonart.com

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

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

Harry Bunce, Suave Woodland Animals (new artist)

What comes to mind when you think of British woodland areas, The Animals of Farthing Wood, The Tales of Peter Rabbit, The Wind in the Willows? New artist Harry Bunce takes inspiration from our favourite creatures and gives them a modern twist.

Originally from Hampshire, Harry moved to Bristol to study and has hung around Somerset ever since; unfashionably honest he quotes Hockney, George Herriman and Beatrix Potter as influences.

His cast of cool, un-knowable, vaguely sinister anthropomorphic animals rest deep in our consciousness at a time when the only animals many of us see are urban foxes scrounging through bins.

‘Love in the Air’ Limited Edition on paper (framed) Edition of 33

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: he has badgers carrying shotguns, red-jacketed foxes, anarchist hares and squirrels touting what look suspiciously like Walther PPKs.

The gallery is currently stocking four of Bunce’s Signed Limited Edition Prints – ‘Faith’, ‘Charity’, ‘Hope’ and ‘Love in the Air (London)’ that perfectly capture his wayward characters, each telling their own tale.

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…

‘Charity’ Limited Edition on paper (framed) Edition of 45

‘Hope’ Limited Edition on paper (framed) Edition of 45

George Thornton Art

Unit 12A, Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN
Tel – 01159243555 : E.Mail – george@georgethorntonart.com

G T A presents a Solo Exhibition with Nottingham artist Jane Thomson

‘In Anticipation of me knowing you’ by Jane Thomson

We are proud to play host to Nottingham artist Jane Thomson and her collection of works celebrating the female form. As an emerging artist it’s only a matter of time until Jane Thomson justifiably gains wider recognition.

Spend time with Jane’s paintings; on the surface they are beautiful and intricate, but like the layers they are made from, there is so much depth to these works. Figurative art exposes and address the concept of beauty. How we are perceived and how we perceive others.

Jane’s use of ink, pencil and pastel is delicate. Perfect medium for the female form. She then interlinks imagery with layers of acetate, paper and printed thoughts either from photographic text or her own poetry.

We invite you to come and meet the artist. Private View, Artist Appearance Saturday 18th April 2pm until 5pm. Be the first to witness this breath taking collection and speak to Jane regarding ideas and inspiration.

Contact : george@georgethorntonart.com for details