Galleries - December 2013

collections are rich with colour, unique in design and guaranteed to add a touch of splendour to your tree. For a more contemporary present, The Flood Gallery in the wonderful Greenwich Market specialises in limited edition screen-printed gig posters, movie posters and art prints; ideal for a certain someone with a blockbuster or musician obsession. Highgate Contemporary Art has a vast range of festive goodies this year, including ceramics, sculptures and paintings, all spread over two floors of the Georgian Gallery. Entitled ‘Noel Noel’, this is a fabulous chance to buy somethingspecial from over thirty artists. For more of a fair atmosphere then The Angel Christmas Fair from Candid Arts is a weekend filled with talent. Find some little stockingfillers here or perhaps some treats for under the tree (6 to 8 December). F or the ultimate treasure-trove, look no further than The London Silver Vaults; 30 shops all specialisingin fine silver designs. Chancery Lane comes alive this Christmas so make sure you make a trip to get your hands on a wonderful vintage watch – what a fantastic gift . . . of West Country landscape painters includingDavid Atkins, Janette Kerr and Tim Cumming, to name but a few. Definitely take a look at the Nick Cudworth Gallery in Bath; his subjects include commissions of Bath and the West Country, as well as portraits which encompass his musical roots. For Those more inclined to the vibrant and vivid aspect of art, Liz Garnett Art Photography is a great place to start. Still-life photographs and seaside- inspired shots will sit well on any wall and add a splash of colour to your home. A clever alternative to a physical art piece is a subscription to Illustrators Quarterly : a collection of stories behind the artists and their work with an indispensable reference library and wonderful examples of work in every issue. Charlie Mackesy is name worth noting. One of the country’s most popular artists, Charlie’s work includes depictions of beautiful women in watercolour, pastel, oil and charcoal. See his work at Belgravia Gallery. E very Christmas tree needs decorations, so perhaps consider giving someone a piece from the London Glassblowing Gallery. Peter Layton’s latest C hristmas is a time of friendship, families, festivities and, ultimately, giving. We discover the latest offerings from the art world and how this Christmas everyone should consider a different type of gift. In an ever-changing world obsessed with technology and keepingup with the future, it is important that we remember and honour the true masterpieces in life. So before you consider the latest gadget, literary bestseller or fashion item as a festive offering, turn your sights to a unique memento and your own slice of history: a piece of fine or applied art. Over the next few weeks thousands of artists and makers will be showcasingtheir work in the hope that you will be inspired to take it home – or present it to a friend or relative . . . F or a classically British collection of watercolours and drawings, the Winter Exhibition at the St James’s-based Martyn Gregory Gallery is worth heading down to. Jamie Primrose, a contemporary Scottish artist, also has a seasonal selection of pieces ranging from cityscapes and seascapes of London, Venice and Edinburgh – his work is available to see online . Sladers Yard has a brilliant showcase of the work of a group Peter Layton, glass decorations at London Glassblowing The Art of Giving Zara de Haldevang