Thanks to Melanie for sharing details of this new exhibition with readers. Ed
A stunning new exhibition opens on Wednesday 21st November in the ‘Big Wight Space’ at the New Rembrandt Gallery, Scarrotts Lane, in Newport. The exhibition will show a collection of paintings by the well-known Island artist Martin Swan, whose work was recently shown in the Mall Gallery, London, in the Annual Exhibition of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, of which he is a Member.
Martin is joined by artists and designers Magie Gray and David Rosewarne, whose creative careers have spanned four decades. Their exhibition at The Big Wight Space features paintings and drawings of David’s beautiful garden, Magie’s gorgeous fans and her exquisite and desirable textile collages.
Fascinating background
Magie Gray, who was born in Shanklin, studied at the prestigious St Martin’s College of Art and Design in London. She kick-started her career by selling her entire graduation collection of dresses, inspired by her sea side home, to Bianca Jagger.
Amongst her many successes, Magie also designed and hand painted decorative fans which were used by Karl Lagerfeld and Elizabeth Arden for the launch and promotion of their new perfumes.
Magie and David went on to sell their textile designs worldwide, counting Jeff Banks, Liberty of London, Ralph Lauren and Paloma Picasso amongst their many clients.
BBC Gardener of the Year
David took his design skills into creating gardens, winning BBC Gardener of the Year 2000 and featuring in Diarmud Gavin’s television show “Home Front in the Garden”.
He also created a garden for the Chelsea Flower Show in 2002, for which he won a Silver Medal. Shortly after David and Magie moved to Ryde, where David created a lovely new garden. They open it to the public every year under The National Garden Scheme, raising money for charities including Friends of Ventnor Botanic Gardens.
Exhibition includes Melanie Swan
The exhibition is also showing textile works by Melanie Swan, including her marbled and dyed silks.
The exhibition will be open from Wednesday 21st to Friday 30th November and, with an exciting range of work available to purchase, this is a perfect opportunity find something truly original for a special Christmas gift.
The Big Wight Space is situated upstairs at the Rembrandt Gallery and is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.
Admission is free and visitors are most welcome to come and enjoy the artists’ work in this lovely gallery.
