The Hancock Gallery launch (AD)
A new fine art gallery has opened its doors in the heart of Newcastle and I was fortunate enough to be invited to the VIP launch night of the Hanock Gallery*.
The Hancock Gallery launched with its first temporary show, ‘Alexander Millar: A retrospective’, a celebration of artist Alexander Millar’s highly prolific and nostalgic work on Friday 26 April.
VIP event at the Hancock Gallery
I took my brother and his girlfriend with me as there were a few spaces left for the VIP event.
The gallery is just around the corner from two of my old university haunts – the Robinson Library and the Hancock pub.
As we were walking to the door we could already see how bustling it was inside with others turning up at the same time as us.
Inside the decor is simple and modern, stripped back wooden floors and white paint, a perfect blank canvas to showcase the amazing works of art.
We grabbed a couple of drinks and enjoyed some of the delicious canapes before exploring the various rooms.
Millar’s work is really incredible.
His oil paintings are fabulous but I really loved his sketches.
The tributes to the 9/11 firefighters left a lump in my throat.
I loved the peaky blinders room and I think this would be a favourite for many.
It was genuinely a real honour to be invited to the VIP launch event and have the opportunity to meet the artist himself.
‘Alexander Millar: A retrospective’
This covers three brightly lit floors and delves into the past 20 years of the artist’s career.
The show features prints, paintings and sculptures from the artist’s private collection, as well as providing access to a selection of prints and sculptures that are no longer available anywhere in the world.
Alexander Millar said: “My work has changed quite dramatically over the years, when I look at what I’ve painted during my career. It’s been good for me and also challenging at the same time – to go from my dark, simple, old Gadgies to making them brighter and bringing them more to life, which at the time was a reflection of what I was going through personally, coming out of the deep depression I experienced after the death of my father.
“As an artist, I continually see things through a picture frame. When I watch a TV series like Peaky Blinders or see a golf tournament, or even with whatever may be happening in my own life, like taking part in the Tartan Week parade in New York, it is often reflected into the paintings that I produce – and in a strange way, it feels like I myself am becoming the Gadgie.”
A guest collection from the Balman Gallery will be exhibited throughout a part of the top floor for a limited time.
It includes eclectic national and international art across a range of mediums.
Gallery Director Lee Stobbart said: “We want the gallery to become a place art enthusiasts can visit and return to time and time again to enjoy curated, stand-out artwork from national and international artists.”
About the Hancock Gallery
The Hancock Gallery showcases artwork from around the world for the purposes of appreciation and collection, in an historic Georgian building in the centre of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Over three floors it is a clean, inspired space for viewing art.
This new gallery will be exhibiting work from renowned national and international artists, providing a fresh opportunity for art enthusiasts to experience and collect international art locally.
At the conclusion of Millar’s show, a space in the gallery will become his permanent home, and a new headline exhibit will open.
Moving forward, the gallery will also be hosting workshops and be available for venue hire.
Admission to the gallery and events is free.
Where is the Hancock Gallery?
2 Jesmond Road West
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4PQ
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*Disclaimer
This review has been written with 100% honesty.
I was not financially compensated for this post. I was invited to attend this event for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this post are completely my own based on my own experience.
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Oooo this looks interesting, I wish it were near me as I’d pop there to take a look! Great way to check it out with the VIP event =]
xx
Love that art and love that mini tart…
What a wonderful resource to have close to you, Rachel. I imagine you would look forward to new exhibits in such a lovely building!
Definitely 😊
Drinks, tapas, and nice art! What could be better?
Exactly perfect Friday evening!
Isn’t it great fun to get out and about?
I love it when I get to see a presentation of one artist’s works, especially when you get to see sketches and preliminary drawings. My husband and I once saw a presentation of Maurice Sendak’s work and it was fascinating to see the preliminary sketches and what they eventually turned into. (BTW, Where the Wild Things Are is a must have in any child’s library, along with Goodnight Moon.)
Yes me too. It was brilliant to be able to see so much of his work and to actually get to meet him too. Very humbling. Thank you for the recommendations.
Sounds like a fab event! And it looks like a great setting with a fab set of works on display, too!
It was great 👍🏻
Amazing work