Moncrieff-Bray Gallery offers summer exhibition

Former curator and arts writer Elspeth Moncrieff established the Moncrieff-Bray Gallery in 2005.

Based in a group of 18th-century former farm buildings on the edge of the Petworth estate, a spectacular oak framed barn houses the interior gallery space, and the surrounding landscaped gardens are an ideal setting for domestic sculpture.

“The exhibition takes place in our converted barn and landscaped gardens with stunning views over the Rother Valley.

“Artists and sculptors are drawn from all corners of the British Isles, and work is selected with a commitment to quality, integrity and originality from both established and emerging artists.

“Sculpture ranges from small-scale intimate works for interiors to large pieces for the garden by artists such as Will Carr and Paul Vanstone.

“We are showing fresh work by some of the artists who have supported us since we first opened 16 years ago including John Hitchens, Jilly Sutton, and Oona Campbell. This show also sees several exciting new artists to the gallery, among them Scottish artists Jean B Martin and Ann Oram who both follow in the tradition of the Colourists with their brilliant palettes.

“Landscape plays a large part including David Atkins’ vivid renditions of West Wittering beach, Sarah Warley-Cummings’ sweeping views of the South Downs and Oona Campbell’s stunning sunsets looking across the Yorkshire moors. The selection also includes abstract works by Cornish artist Marianne Nichols and JJ Cavagnah-Butler. For the first time, the gallery showcases the work of David Cass which uses recycled objects to explore ideas of climate change.

“In the garden, work by leading British contemporary stone carvers Paul Vanstone, Dominic Welch and Aly Brown, all successful participants at the prestigious biannual On Form exhibition at Astall Manor, will lead the way.

“Alongside these are Will Carr’s mesmerising kinetic wind sculptures, Jilly Sutton’s astonishing heads carved in wood and cast in bronze and Mike Savage’s vessels of beaten copper.”

Opening times for the exhibition which runs from April 30 to May 8 are daily, 10am-4pm: booking essential. Then May 9- June 26: Wednesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm: booking essential.

“For everyone’s safety we ask that you email us to book your timed slot.

“Even with our high ceilings, wide barn doors and sculpture garden we want to control the numbers and ensure you can enjoy your visit to the full.”

Exhibiting sculptors: Stuart Anderson, Adam Binder, Aly Brown, Will Carr, Helen Dennerly, Olivia Ferrier, Kim Francis, Penny Hardy, David Klein, Emma Maiden, Alyosha Moeran, Nicolas Moreton, Tim Pomeroy, Will Spankie, Guy Stevens, Jilly Sutton, Paul Vanstone, Dominic Welch

Exhibiting artists: Karen Camkin, JJ Cavanagh-Butler, Oona Campbell, Rosie Copeland, Sue England, Ramsay Gibbs, John Hitchens, Philip Lyons, Jean B Martin, Marianne Nicholls, Maggie O’Brien, Ann Oram, Jemma Powell, Lucy Powell,Vivienne Williams, Eugenie Vronskya, Sarah Warley-Cummings.