New works and an extra day

New acquisitions

Our hunt across the country to bring back new works for Castlegate continues, with recent trips to Cornwall, Surrey, London, Lincolnshire, Wales and Edinburgh to add to our list.

The most recent acquisitions may be seen in our Latest Works section, although a more complete list of the ceramics by William Plumptre may be seen on his specific page of our website.

We have works from the 1950s through to 2024. Our Cornwall trip resulted in a number of purchases, including this quite splendid work by Terry Frost (RA) from 1963. An untitled abstract composition, for me it holds much stronger innovation and freedom than much that came in later decades from Terry.  It has a feel of 50s abstracts about it, but then I guess 1963 is almost an honorary 50s painting.

Lucie Rie and Hans Coper

Also new in, in a way, is this 50s collaboration piece by the lauded Lucie Rie and Hans Coper. the pot bearing both artist’s stamps along with Gallerie Besson label. We acquired this from the wonderful and formidable Mary Burkett, OBE in 2013, it living with us at home until now. Mary had headed Abbot Hall in Kendal for twenty years, shaping it into a nationally respected gallery and museum. A big supporter of us in our early Castlegate days, Mary purchased a painting in Spring of 2013 from our Bill Bell exhibition, paying us with this very same Rie/Coper vessel. Mary died in 2014 aged ninety and this has always brought us fond memories, but as the saying goes, when a dealer, eventually everything ends up being for sale. It’s now ready for its next custodian.

Contemporary paintings and ceramics

New works in the contemporary space have arrived from Alice Campbell  and, as mentioned, William Plumptre. Alice (still a young emerging artist, even though we’ve known her from her even younger graduation days in 2017/18) is really powering on from strength to strength; each new body of work seems to outdo the last; absolutely wonderful to see and be part of. William, well, for us William produces some of the more accomplished studio pottery in the UK today.

Wonderful 60s madness

Back to the 60s, and I loved at first sight this utterly 60s painting by the late John Shelton. Painted in 1964, Richard Loves Richard is open to debate about meaning; is the Richard titled King Richard III, with crown and sword? Is Richard someone else entirely? I think it’s down to the viewer to make their own interpretation.

Now 70s madness - Alan Davie

Finally, a move into the 70s, and a wonderful large 1975 painting by the late Alan Davie. For the Soul of a Bird, No. 13 has great provenance and feels as contemporary now as it did in 1975; a great painting, a great name and a great addition to any collection.

Now, the extra day; as we move into the summer months, Castlegate House will also be open on Wednesdays, so Wednesday to Saturday inclusive, other times by appointment. You may well be seeing Ben manning the gallery, the next generation of the Swallow family (I'm not entirey sure he's sold on the idea yet). 

All for now, Steve and Christine