The Finalists Exhibition!

The Finalists Exhibition for the Needhams Open Art Competition 2009 was installed this morning (mostly!). It went reasonably well apart from the fact that we couldn't get two paintings by Andrea Rowbotham to the restaurant as they were too large to get in our car (a large SUV). We've arranged alternative transport for tomorrow and will post photographs tomorrow afternoon.

The striking painting above is called 'Rape of Ghia' by Esther Albone, now hanging in the conservatory.

The winning piece, 'Untitled 16' by Nash Francis, is also hanging in the conservatory.

You can hardly tell from these photos just how beautifully tactile this painting is. It's an abstract painting in the usual sense of the word but the materials Nash uses add an interesting dimension to his work- it's cold to the touch (which is odd) and the contrast between the flat matt of the white areas and the high gloss of the colours is very strong. The colours almost jump off the canvas. Congratulations to Nash Francis- the first Winner of the Needhams Open Art Competition 2009!

The piece on the left is called 'Blue Dream' by Daniel Young- it got the second highest number of points from the judges in the competition and is, therefore, our second place entry! Well done Daniel!

The piece on the right is called 'Untitled C' by Marc Allen. It's actually a photograph (not digitally edited in any way) and is printed onto aluminium sheet.

This is a portrait piece by Carol Tarn called 'Zoe'. It's very large and very striking!

This is the second piece selected for the exhibition by Nash Francis. It's called 'Untitled 7'.

2nd place painting 'Blue Dream' by Daniel Young.

These two charming little prints are from Ami Shin. The bottom one is called 'This Is My Pet 3' and we love it.

'Outback- Mount Connor' by Hertford Artist Cathy Smale, in the brasserie dining room.

A photograph called 'Untitled 2' by Donna Carter from Northampton, hanging in the brasserie dining room.

The gorgeous 'Debbie' by Georgina Vinsun in the brasserie dining room.

'Land & Sea' by Christopher Lessware in the main dining room.

A print of 'Untitled 3 (Hopes & Fears)' by Stuart Bush, hanging in the main entrance hall.

'Broken Image' by Daniel Young with 'Untitled 7' by Nash Francis in the background.
This is a fantastic & diverse exhibition of paintings, illustration, prints and photography by new and emerging artists from around the UK. It will look even better tomorrow when we get to hang the two selected paintings from Andrea Rowbotham!