Henley arts guild launches exhibition showcasing ‘many talents and techniques’

THE Henley Art and Crafts Guild has launched its spring exhibition at the Old Fire Station Gallery.

It opened at the Market Place venue last Friday and was the first site of this year’s Henley Arts Trail, which ran across the bank holiday weekend.

The exhibition, which features work from about 70 artists and includes pieces including wall art, sculpture and ceramics, will close on Tuesday.

Photographer Richard Pinches, from Henley, was invited to judge the exhibits on its opening night.

He named Clare Forgie the winner of best wall art and Barry Wall the winner of best craft. Mr Pinches described the diversity of the exhibits as “amazing”. He said: “I’ve only just walked through the door and there are so many topics and talents and techniques in this one room. I’m looking for visual impact, how they created it and the time that may have gone into it, as well as technique. Also, if the piece has an instant grab and if I can look deeper into the piece and see another layer.

“In photography, we talk about semiology and signified deeper meanings, so I’ll be looking for levels.”

Mr Pinches added: “When you walk into a house, you get the feeling that this is for me or you don’t. I think with art as well, you connect, or you don’t and you are guided.”

The exhibition comprised 43 different crafts, 171 framed pictures, 13 sculptures and 124 unframed pieces.

Simon Pink, who chairs the guild, said: “Some are professional artists, some are amateur but it’s a good opportunity for people to come together, show off what they’ve made, what they’re proud of.

“I think we have such a diverse collection of both items and abilities and we try to encourage people who are creative to participate. It is a form of expression and everyone can paint or draw or make pottery and that’s the whole point.”

There’s also a “People’s Choice” award, which will run over the whole exhibition. People can vote for their favourite artist by writing their name or piece down and putting them in a box to be counted.