We are less than three weeks away now from being able to open.

Anyone who knows York Street, where the gallery is located, will know the ‘Friends Meeting House’, opposite, which is (see below) in the process of becoming ‘Toppings Book Shop’. I can only pass on congratulations to Toppings on such a wonderfully appointed location choice for a bookshop (i.e. really close to me). So things are looking up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ornate rear of Ralph Allen Townhouse will still be accessible to the right of the book shop. If you have come to Bath and not had a look, it is well worth it. Of course Bath’s sunsettage is also quite attractive from its eastern hillocks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So basically with staycations, or as we called them as children, holidays, there are no excuses for not coming to Bath any more (though as the kids say, don’t @ me with responses).

There really is no excuse for not visiting us in April, considering Nathan Ford is the exhibition adorning the walls. This newly completed, and quite brilliant, lockdownscape (Five Plus Two, Oil on Board, 90 x 170 cm.) is part of his collection:

 

 

 

 

 

 

One year on from when Nathan started his ’90 days of lockdown’ series, it is perfect timing for Nathan to complete such an accomplished piece of work that so adroitly sums up something of the current mood !!

It would be remiss not to mention one of the other large paintings just completed, which rounds off the show, and this body of work, perfectly:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This portrait of Stan, Nathan’s late father, takes pride of place downstairs. A lovely man, whose presence I am really glad to have amongst this feast of work.
Nathan’s painting from the BP prize 2019 ‘Dad’s last Day’ will also be exhibited in this show.

Please watch the film (here) on Nathan if you haven’t already (one and a half thousand people have already done so on youtube), and have a look at the work in this show here.
The short film on Nathan is also on IGTV and is our pinned post on Facebook.

But really, there is no substitute for seeing the work in the flesh. We will be open 11-3 on Sundays on 18 and 25 April.
Parking is much less restricted in Bath on Sundays, don’t forget there are no coaches of international tourists at the moment. Bath is quite empty…..

The red on this spring blossom, which I believe is Japanese Quince, provided great cheer on our Sunday walk.
My first thought was ‘look at that red !!, closely followed by ‘Helen Simmonds !!…..’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So in a spirit of Japonica-infused vernal feelings of optimism (yes, I know, look at the thorns…. but it’s all part of the zeitgeist)
It is a good time to consider Derek Mahon’s best loved poem again.

How should I not be glad to contemplate
the clouds clearing beyond the dormer window
and a high tide reflected on the ceiling?
There will be dying, there will be dying,
but there is no need to go into that.
The poems flow from the hand unbidden
and the hidden source is the watchful heart.
The sun rises in spite of everything
and the far cities are beautiful and bright.
I lie here in a riot of sunlight
watching the day break and the clouds flying.
Everything is going to be all right.

‘Belfast spring’ can wait for another day.

Thanks for reading.

Aidan