An eye for the contemporary
Former London dealer brings her expertise to new Kingsclere gallery
A new art gallery opened in Kingsclere at the end of last year. Jenna Burlingham Fine Art specialises in 20th-century British paintings, prints, sculpture and ceramics, as well as work by selected contemporary artists.
Artists on show include top names such as John Piper, Mary Fedden, Julian Trevelyan, Elisabeth Frink and Barbara Hepworth.
The upstairs galleries feature less expensive work by 20th century and contemporary artists that Jenna Burlingham believes have real potential. Among them are former Aldermaston potters Laurence McGowan and Andrew Hazleden, Andre Bicat's prints, and new work by Madeline Floyd, Tony Scrivener and Jane Skingley.
Jenna, who lives with her family in Little London, was a director at London dealer Offer Waterman & Co, and felt there was a gap for a gallery in the area specialising in this kind of work.
“There are many dealers operating at the very top end of the market, but it can be quite intimidating,” she said. “What I wanted to do is to use my knowledge and contacts in the London art market and give people both locally, and through our website, further afield, access to art with real pedigree.
“We are friendly and approachable and wish to provide local people with the opportunity to invest in top quality art, much of it at affordable prices.”
The gallery is housed in a Grade II listed building in historic Kingsclere. It was painstakingly refurbished by Jenna, her husband, and colleague Anthony Greayer, uncovering a wealth of beams and period features.
The gallery is planning a varied exhibition programme for 2011, kicking off with a mixed spring exhibition of 20th-century British paintings, prints, ceramics and sculpture, priced from £50 to £20,000. This exhibition includes work by Elisabeth Frink, Mary Fedden, Patrick Heron and Craigie Aitchison, among others.
Another feature of the gallery's programme is a series of evening art history courses to be run throughout the year.
www.jennaburlingham.com
