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Trio Of New Exhibitions Are A Treat For The Senses At The Mercer Art Gallery

Trio of new exhibitions are a treat for the senses at the Mercer Art Gallery

Date Posted: Tuesday 7th Feb 2023

Following the creation of a new exhibition space, The Mercer Art Gallery in Harrogate is currently showing three stunning exhibitions for visitors to enjoy – portraits, wildlife photography and artwork by differently-abled artists.

In the main gallery, ‘Now You See Me’ features portraits from the gallery’s permanent collection. Portraits offer the viewer a unique window into lives of people from the past and this eclectic exhibition features portraits ranging from 16th Century to contemporary paintings and photography and incorporates different artistic styles, media and techniques.

The oldest portrait on display is a portrait of Sir Arthur Slingsby from the late 16^th Century. The Slingsby’s were a local family with connections to both Harrogate and Knaresborough and in particular Knaresborough Castle during the English Civil War. The collection’s newest acquisition is an atmospheric photographic work by Irish artist, Dorothy Cross.

As a tribute to the late local historian Malcolm Neesam, the exhibition includes a poignant portrait by Harrogate-based artist Matthew Wyatt.

In the north gallery, ‘With Nature and a Camera: Cherry Kearton and the Birth of Wildlife Documentary’ celebrates the career of the pioneering wildlife photographer and documentary film maker Cherry Kearton.

Cherry Kearton and his brother Richard took some of the first ever photographs of animals in their natural habitats – they were dedicated to shooting animals with a camera, not culling them for trophies.

Thirty-six never-before-seen images have been digitally printed from glass negatives discovered in a bureau by Kearton’s descendants, giving an insight into Kearton’s intrepid practice and his dedication to wildlife conservation. The bureau is also on display as part of the exhibition.

In the newly-created south gallery, ‘The World Through Our Eyes’ with Artizan International showcases the vibrant creative energy of differently-abled artists.

During the past year, the artists at Artizan have worked towards building a body of work to display. The work includes sculpture, mosaic, textiles and painting, it is a beautiful range of expression from the artists themselves and their view of the world we live in.

Before you leave, make sure you purchase a beautiful souvenir of your visit from the newly-refurbished shop as a reminder of your day. This light and bright retail space is stocked with a range of items linked to the exhibitions including postcards, prints and books as well as other unique gifts and souvenirs.

The exhibitions at the Mercer Art Gallery continue until Sunday 19^th March and the opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday 10am-4pm.

To find out about more about visiting Harrogate and things to see and do, see our explore pages and don’t forgot to tag all your photos with #MyHarrogate , we love seeing them.