THE STOUR GALLERY
SPRING EXHIBITION
featuring
SIMON POOLEY
Cornwall and the West Country
SIMON POOLEY
The Stour Gallery has shown and sold Simon’s work for fifteen years to those who respond to the strong colour and
tonal qualities of the paint, to the sense of mystery of what might be just under the surface of land and sea and the
marking of ancient paths. Simon's architectural training enables him to dispense with much a more obvious painter
might include, by ensuring the structure is always there. His handling of paint, his over painting that depends so much
on earlier marks and colour; his ability to create and reflect mystery, his drawing that lets a simple line convey a form,
are all skills that are strongly evident in this new body of work.
The paintings are of Cornwall; its ancient settlements, landscapes, sea, sky and harbours, in all its sharp light and
tonal beauty. Many painters find inspiration for their work in Cornwall - the requisite essentials are all there, few
succeed as Simon succeeds, in reducing to essential but recognisable form and colour what lies below and above the
surface of land, sky and sea. Sarah Stoten
Simon trained as an architect qualifying in 1980 and practised in Sheffield for twelve years before moving to Cornwall
in 1992 to paint full-time. He works in a studio near Land's End and his paintings are exhibited in major galleries in
Britain and abroad. As his reputation has grown his work has become greatly sought after. Simon is a member of the
Newlyn Society of Artists. He continually returns to the discipline of drawing, always carrying a sketchbook, his paints
in his studio where his drawings, paradoxically, are rarely directly referred to.
"I seem to have had a pencil in my hand for most of my life. The work I do in the studio is based on memory; my
drawings are often used for reference. I hardly ever transpose the pencil lines in my sketchbook as paint onto the
canvas. The drawing is an aide-memoir, once made it is stored in my mind and becomes an imprint of a specific
moment in time. If I've drawn it, I'll remember it. " Simon Pooley
Simon's drawings and paintings continue to develop in breadth of style and subject, and sheer ability to paint with
skill, strength and spirit. He has managed to free himself from the disciplined, detailed accuracy demanded by
architecture and has adopted a flexible, flowing style. His paintings are energetic and full of life; this is enhanced by
the different techniques and media used; from brushes and pencils to scratching through the paint and the use of
collage.
Gallery artists include
Modern Masters: Sir Peter Blake, Sandra Blow RA, Anthony Frost, Terry Frost RA, Donald Hamilton Fraser
RA,
John Hoyland RA, Bruce McLean, Breon O’Casey, Jane O’Malley, Tony O’Malley HRHA, Barbara Rae RA.
Artists: Angela A’Court, Jo Ashby ARBA, Lynda Ruth Brown, James Campbell, Neil Canning, Julie Collins,
Jessica Cooper RWA, John Emanuel, Catherine Headley, Felicity Keefe, James Kerr, Janette Kerr PRWA,
David Penhale, John Pickering, Simon Quadrat RWA, Mark Raggett ARWS, Laura Sednaoui, Maggie Shaw,
John Maxwell Steele, Terry Whybrow, Penwith and Newlyn Societies.
Ceramics • Sculpture • Glass • Jewellery
Please see our website for full details of artists and makers
Representing artists and makers who work from, and are inspired by, Cornwall and the West
Country has been central to the gallery’s programme of exhibitions since opening in 1997.
We continue to source, show and support established and emerging artists who have found their
inspiration or created their work in the still remote county of Cornwall, which together with the
wider West Country is so much a part of the modern and contemporary history of British art
Exhibition online: www.thestourgallery.co.uk
You are welcome to visit the gallery simply to enjoy the work
The gallery is open: Monday - Wednesday and Friday - Saturday 10.00 - 5.30 or by appointment
Please ask about our interest free credit scheme •
10 High Street, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, CV36 4AJ
01608 664411 info@thestourgallery.co.uk