Zillah Bell Contemporary Art

Art gallery in Thirsk, England

Zillah Bell Art Gallery

Established| 1988 (1988)
Location| Thirsk, England
Coordinates| 54°13′58″N 1°20′39″W﻿ / ﻿54.23285°N 1.34421°W﻿ / 54.23285; -1.34421
Type| Art gallery
Owner| John Bell
Website| www.zillahbellgallery.co.uk

Listed Building – Grade II

Designated| 15 June 1984
Reference no.| 1190496[1]

The Zillah Bell Art Gallery is a contemporary art gallery exhibiting local and national artists. Housed in a Grade II Listed Building in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England, the gallery opened in 1988.

## History

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The gallery is owned and run by John Bell. It was set up in 1988 by Bell and partner Janie, and shares its name with Bell's youngest daughter, Zillah.[2][3] The gallery, one of a row of 18th century Grade II listed cottages, is located at 15 Kirkgate in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.[1] Daisy Bell, daughter of John and Janie, organised the Art of Care auction of postcards in 2005, which raised c. £73,000 in aid of Care International. Artists who provided works included Sir Paul McCartney, David Hockney, Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst.[4][5] In 2015 the artist Norman Ackroyd called for the gallery to be a northern art hub, stating it is "beautiful for hanging prints".[3]

## Exhibitions

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In 1996 the surrealist artist and writer Anthony Earnshaw exhibited at the gallery with Another G&T.[6] In both 2015 and 2017 the gallery hosted an exhibition of a number of works from that year's Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, intending to increase accessibility of art to people in the North of England. The prints were selected by etcher and Royal Academician Norman Ackroyd.[7][8]

In 2016 the gallery hosted an exhibition, Juxtaposition, that focused on the "infinite possibilities of printmaking". It was curated by Sarah Greenslade and featured works by established and new artists, including Barbara Rae and Emma Stibbon.[9]

## Artist's list

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* Anthony Earnshaw – Another G&T (1996).[6]
* Roger Kohn – Hung Drawn and Slaughtered (2003).
* Norman Ackroyd – Shetland (2012), Skellig Revisited (2015).[10][11][3]
* Austin Wright – A Sculptor’s Drawings (2013).[12]
* Debbie Loane – Straying from the Path (2020).[13]
* James Naughton – A Journey in Paint (2023).[14]

## Gallery

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* Chasin' the Dragon by Roger Kohn, created for the exhibition on 'Paddy's Hole, 2005.

* Cabinet of Cakes by David Winfield.

## See also

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* Thirsk Hall Sculpture Park

## References

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1. ^ a b Historic England. "7–15 Kirkgate, Thirsk (1190496)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
2. ^ McKenzie Johnston, Fiona (2 November 2022). "Inside the 18th-century splendour of Thirsk Hall and its fascinating sculpture garden – House & Garden". House & Garden. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
3. ^ a b c Minting, Stuart (14 December 2015). "Leading artist calls for Thirsk to become northern art hub". Northern Echo.
4. ^ "Treasured uncle inspires student Daisy's art of gold". Gazette&Herald. 28 July 2005. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
5. ^ "The Art of Care". Care International. Archived from the original on 13 January 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2008.
6. ^ a b Anthony, Earnshaw. "Exhibitions and bio". Anthony Earnshaw. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2008.
7. ^ "Two major art shows for the region". Darlington and Stockton Times. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
8. ^ "Northbound artworks". Yorkshire Post. 29 August 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
9. ^ Hunter, Claire (6 May 2016). "Five great things to do this weekend". Northern Echo. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
10. ^ "Norman Ackroyd & Friends, Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk, until January 20". York Press. 23 November 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
11. ^ Hardwick, Viv (5 November 2015). "New Norman Ackroyd exhibition at Thirsk". Northern Echo. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
12. ^ Smith, William (17 July 2013). "York's neglected artist Austin Wright celebrated in Thirsk". YorkMix. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
13. ^ Fox, Alexa (5 February 2020). "New work on display by Moors artist Debbie Loane". Northern Echo. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
14. ^ Craft, Jackie (26 June 2023). "Artist James Naughton solo exhibition at Zillah Bell Gallery, Thirsk". Northern Echo. Retrieved 24 September 2024.

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

*[c.]: circa