Previous Exhibitions
‘Sea Passages’ by Deborah Burnstone, 22 May-19 July
Deborah is a London-based multi-media artist. She graduated in fine art from Goldsmiths College, London in 1999.
Ships and boats are a recurring motif in Deborah Burnstone’s films, installations and paintings. As well as being an ancient and vital human means of transport, boats are a poetic symbol of spirituality, mortality, change, longing and adventure. The works in this show were painted between 2020 and 2026 and can be roughly grouped into three categories: exploration of the ship as a symbol; awe for the majesty of huge trade ships; and empathy for human beings they transport.
The paintings of commercial vessels come from Deborah’s walks along the banks of the Thames estuary where giant container ships and bulk carriers glide silently past dwarfing everything around them. The paintings featuring people in boats were made in response to reports of migrants fleeing war, persecution and poverty making perilous sea crossings in small boats in the hopes of a better life. The sea has always provided a means for human immigration to British shores, from the Anglo-Saxons, Romans and the Normans to more recent arrivals. ‘I feel an affinity with people risking everything to cross the sea; my own ancestors arrived on ships from Poland and Russia more than a century ago to escape poverty and persecution to make a new life on these shores,’ Deborah says.
Deborah is fascinated by colour and its power to create atmosphere and mood, as well as conjure up light and dark and describe space. Her paintings may be figurative, but she never forgets that they are an accumulation of marks, smears, shapes, textures, drips and brush strokes.
Deborah’s film ‘Estuary Stories’ (2016,15mins) is showing as part of this exhibition.
Deborah Burnstone Biography
Deborah is a London-based multi-media artist graduating in fine art from Goldsmiths College in 1999.Deborah’s work has been exhibited nationally, particularly in London. Shows include: ‘The Joy of Painting’, Wellington Road, Liverpool, ’Finding Place’ Lauderdale House, London, a solo show ’These Little Joys’ at Lido Stores Margate, ‘In the Garden of Magical Possibilities’ Lido Stores, Margate and The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Deborah is an alumni of The Turps Off-Site programme and has been shortlisted for the John Moores painting prize.
Ruth Wharton
Ruth’s work is rooted in a deep engagement with the Pennine landscape. Having drawn all her life, she has a particular affinity for charcoal, valuing its responsiveness to the hand in creating expressive lines that capture the character of this landscape. Over the last fifteen years she has also focused on etching, particularly aquatint techniques, which require a more contemplative approach that complements the intuitive nature of her charcoal work. Her etchings combine creativity with technical skill, and she embraces the medium’s inherent unpredictability. Central to her practice is the commitment to draw on site rather than from photographs, ensuring a direct, embodied connection to the landscape that informs both her charcoal drawings and her more considered etchings.
Ruth Wharton Biography
Ruth Wharton studied Fine Art at Kingston College of Art (BA Hons 2:1, 1968-72), exhibiting at New Contemporaries, ICA London in 1972 and later at the Aegean School of Fine Art in Paros, Greece. She has taught art and English as a Foreign Language, and ran an artisan food business importing Greek products – all work that sustained her family as a single parent. In 2008, she returned to her art practice, mastering etching techniques largely independently. Her work has been exhibited at Hotbed Press Salford, Warrington Museum and Art Gallery, Blossom Street Gallery York, Gallery Northwest Brampton and Kirkcarrion Gallery, Middleton in Teesdale.Ruth Wharton studied Fine Art at Kingston College of Art (BA Hons 2:1, 1968-72), exhibiting at New Contemporaries, ICA London in 1972 and later at the Aegean School of Fine Art in Paros, Greece. She has taught art and English as a Foreign Language, and ran an artisan food business importing Greek products – all work that sustained her family as a single parent. In 2008, she returned to her art practice, mastering etching techniques largely independently. Her work has been exhibited at Hotbed Press Salford, Warrington Museum and Art Gallery, Blossom Street Gallery York, Gallery Northwest Brampton and Kirkcarrion Gallery, Middleton in Teesdale.
Nicola Hill – Artist statement ‘Corvid Series’
The “Corvid” series began during lockdown, a time of forced stillness that led me to be more aware of the noisy rookery next door. I became fascinated by the habitual antics of these birds. The Corvid family – crows, rooks, ravens, jackdaws and magpies – are intelligent, social characters, deeply ingrained in our shared psyche and interwoven into our language. Often portrayed in folklore as harbingers of misfortune and war, I see them differently. For me, they symbolise new beginnings and are a genuine joy to draw, which I think comes across in these portraits.
The fluidity of ink offers a quick and intuitive way of capturing the spirit of a subject. This approach allows for spontaneity and embraces the element of surprise that comes with all mark making on paper.
Meeting Sarah at life drawing classes in Rye a decade ago, at a place where creativity and friendships flourished. I am delighted that Sarah has invited me to show my ‘Corvid Series’ at The Gallery. It’s great to take part in Sarah’s vision for a creative hub in the Durham Dales, to celebrate her new beginning in the North East.
Nicola Hill Biography
Nicola Hill (b.1966) is a multi-disciplinary artist. Her work comprises: drawing, painting, and printmaking (linocut & monoprint). Nicola is curious about capturing and expressing a moment in time, the work as much about experimenting with new materials and techniques as it is about the subject.
Nicola is based in Rye, on the south east coast of England. She graduated in ceramics at Middlesex University, then set up and ran a shared studio space in East London. Nicola worked for the Crafts Council and taught ceramics. For 20 years, she and a colleague ran a successful interiors and lifestyle photo agency which closed in 2021. Nicola has exhibited regularly at The Rye Creative Centre and at the prestigious Rye Art Gallery. Nicola is a member of SoCo ( South East Coast Artists)and is currently busy working on commissioned lino prints for The Rye Fish Market and The Waterworks and The Globe in Marsh pubs. Nicola is a well-known and popular member of her local community, her art work is held in high regard by her collectors.
‘A Black Line’ corvid drawings by Nicola Hill
‘The Build Drawings’ Sarah Nelson’s drawn record of the building of her home/studio
Cement foundations with cigarette
Charcoal on paper 40 x 20 cm (diptych)
The Cement Pipe
Charcoal on paper 40 x 20 cm (diptych)
Cement Foundations and Van
Charcoal on paper 40 x 20 cm (diptych)SOLD
McClurg Scaffolding
Charcoal on paper 36 x 26 cm (diptych)
Fencehouse Timber Frame
Charcoal on paper 40 x 30cm (diptych)
Balanced
Charcoal on paper 20 x 20 cm
Cropping stone with caravan
Charcoal on paper 30 x 24cm
Cropping and moving stone
Charcoal on newsprint 30 x 24cm SOLD
Buildmer install windows
Charcoal on paper 30 x 24cm SOLD
Buildmer install windows II
Charcoal on paper 30 x 24cm
Thompson floor screed
Charcoal on paper 30 x 24cm
