Exhibition Update 2023

It’s shaping up to be a very busy year!

First on the list is:

Suffolk Open Studios 2023
Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 June, 10am – 4pm

Photograph of the interior of Hilary Barry's studio.
Studio awaiting (several) finishing touches

It’s unfortunate that, due to other commitments, I’ll only be able to open for one weekend this year but, on the plus side, if everyone comes on those days then I can promise you a very buzzy weekend!

Click here for a preview of the work I’ll be showing.

And later in June, I’m taking part with Easterly Artists in their latest exhibition at the First Light Festival in Lowestoft, with a selection of prints and cards for sale as well as some larger work. The festival runs Midday – 9.30pm, Saturday 17 and 10am – 4pm, Sunday 18 June.

Easterly Artists at First Light Festival-23

Click here for further details and directions.

Third, I’m very pleased to have been offered a solo show in July at the excellent George Farnham Gallery in Saxmundham.

Hilary Barry Solo Exhibition
George Farnham Gallery, Saxmundham
4 – 15 July
Open: Tue – Fri, 10.30am – 4pm; Sat, 10am – 1pm (Closed Sun – Mon)
George Farnham, 6A High Street, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1DD

This is one of the pieces I’ll be showing:

Abstract Welsh mountain landscape.
The Breath Taken (25 x 25 cm)

As an added incentive, Saturday 8 July is market day in Saxmundham so, if you come then, once you’ve had a chance to look round the show there will be plenty of other things to see and do in the high street.

On to September and I’m hosting a joint exhibition at The Craft House in Woodbridge, together with the very talented fellow Suffolk artist, Ros Bieber:

Hilary Barry & Ros Bieber
The Craft House, Woodbridge
27 September – 3 October
Open daily, 10am – 5pm
The Craft House, 1B Thoroughfare, Woodbridge IP12 1AA

Here’s one of the paintings I’ll be showing, with an example of Ros’ work below, to give you a taste of what to expect:

Aerial landscape.
Some Could Not Be Concealed (50 x 50 cm)
Artist Ros Bieber's painting "Tug Boats" (organic paint, sand and collage).
Ros Bieber – Tug Boats

The Craft House is 5 minutes’ walk from Woodbridge Station, which is also probably the best place to leave your car if you’re driving.

Finally, Ros and I are hosting another joint show in November at The Bell Gallery in Bungay, which is rapidly making a name for itself as the place to be if you want to see compelling work by new artists from a whole range of locations and mediums.

Hilary Barry & Ros Bieber
Bell Gallery, Bungay
31 October – 25 November
Open: Tue – Sat, 10am – 4.30pm (Closed Sun – Mon)
Bell Gallery, 40 Earsham St, Bungay NR35 1AQ

Picture seen through a window of a crowd of people in a room, all ages and genders.
Now It’s Not Too Clear (65 x 65 cm)

You can get to Bungay by train via Beccles, followed by a short bus ride. Alternatively, if you’re coming by car, there’s plenty of car parking in the street or the public car park down the road.

And, as always, please follow me on my Instagram, Facebook or Twitter pages for all the latest images and updates.

Hope to see you in due course at one or more of the above!

It’s Going to be a Busy Spring

It feels like I’ve only just finished Christmas, yet already I’m busily preparing for the next round of exhibitions with three shows in as many months!

Photo of British artist Hilary Barry's landscape painting "And There It Is Again" (oil on canvas, 40 x 40 cm)
And There It Is Again (40 x 40 cm)

First, I’ll be opening my studio again in this year’s Suffolk Open Studios on three of the four weekends in June: 11am-5pm: 4-5, 11-12 and 25-26 June – but let me know if those days don’t suit, and we can arrange another time. If you’ve visited me before you’ll know the location; otherwise, get in touch via the Contact page and I’ll send you directions.

Click here for a preview of the work I’m planning to  have on show.

Photo of British artist Hilary Barry's landscape painting "Playing with Time" (oil on canvas, 100 x 50 cm)
Playing with Time (100 x 50 cm)

Next, don’t worry if the only weekend you have free in June is the third one, because I’m also taking part with Easterly Artists in their latest exhibition Art NOW! – Midday, Saturday 18 – 2pm, Sunday 19 June at Kensington Gardens, Kensington Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HY.

Why a 24-hour exhibition, and for only two days? Because it’s part of the First Light Festival, just up the road from my studio. If you haven’t been before, it’s a really special event, timed to coincide with the dawning of a new day on the UK’s most Easterly point. It’s a great occasion, if you can make it – just let me know in advance, so I can be there at the same time to meet you.

Finally, I’m really pleased to be back with the George Farnham Gallery for All That Is Suffolk, 1 June – 31 August, at 6A High Street, Saxmundham IP17 1DD. 

Photo of British artist Hilary Barry's landscape painting "Seeking Answers" (oil on canvas, 27 x 27 cm)
Seeking Answers (27 x 27 cm)

If you haven’t been before, George Farnham is a lovely little gallery at the end of Saxmundham High Street, showing a wide selection of art from across the region, and is well worth a visit! Click here for opening times and other details.

I have some other exhibitions lined up for the rest of the year, but that’s enough news for now. I hope you’ll be able to make it to at least one of the above, and look forward to seeing you then!

Meanwhile, you can always follow all my newest work on my Instagram, Facebook and Twitter feeds, so don’t forget to click on the links for all the latest developments.

Two Paintings Accepted into Permanent Collection at Addenbrooke’s

During the recent pandemic and lock-downs, the NHS was (and still is) constantly in my thoughts. As a painter, this prompted me to produce a new body of work, the Lock-Down Series, reflecting my own feelings and experience of that time.
You can see it here.

British artist Hilary Barry handing over some of her work to Rosie O’Donovan, Addenbrooke's Hospital Arts Programme Manager
Handing over “Grief, Ruins and Miracles” to Rosie O’Donovan, Addenbrooke’s Arts Programme Manager

Recently, I was thrilled that Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge accepted two pieces from the series into their permanent art collection. I have a strong personal connection with Addenbrooke’s, so it’s good to have an opportunity to give something back to the doctors and nurses who’ve taken such good care of my family in the past, often under such difficult and demanding circumstances.

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil on canvas, titled "Grief, Ruins and Miracles". Size 140 x 87 cm. Part of the "Lock-Down" series, showing five doctors and nurses wearing Covid-19 personal protective equipment, gathered over the unseen body of a patient undergoing treatment.
Grief, Ruins and Miracles (140 x 87 cm)

At the beginning of the pandemic, no-one anywhere was sure what was happening. PPE turned into masks of invisibility. This painting explores the strangeness and confusion, and the courage, which prevailed at that time.

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil on canvas, titled "When Will It End?". Size 90 x 70 cm. Part of the "Lock-down" series, showing laboratory scientists working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to produce an anti-Covid vaccine.
When Will It End? (90 x 70 cm)

Research into and production of anti-Covid vaccines relied on intense working methods and huge commitment. I imagined the relentless processes and practices required in that environment, to achieve the desired result.

“If the Time is Right” Accepted for Mall Galleries Exhibition

I’m delighted to announce that my work “If the Time is Right” has been selected for the upcoming Federation of British Artists exhibition Figurative Art Now at the Mall Galleries!

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil on canvas, titled "If the Time is Right". Size 100 x 50 cm.
If the Time is Right (100 x 50 cm)

From the Mall Galleries website: “Featuring works by elected FBA members, prize-winners, regular exhibitors, FBA Futures Alumni and artists new to Mall Galleries… (“Figurative Art Now”) explores the breadth of representational painting, drawing, sculpture and printmaking in the UK today.”

The exhibition runs 7 July – 20 September. Sadly, for all the usual reasons, this year’s show will be virtual, but please bookmark https://bit.ly/mallgalleries and make a point of visiting, to show your support!

Suffolk Open Studios – The Postscript

This year’s Suffolk Open Studios comes to an end on something of a high.

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's landscape painting in oil on canvas, depicting long grass against a sea background. Title "Another Side of Time". Size 100 x 100 cm.
Another Side of Time (100 x 100 cm)

Despite only being open this time for two weeks, a number of people took the opportunity get in touch or come by my studio, resulting in several sales!

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil on canvas, titled "Standing on Old Bones". Size 40 x 40 cm.
Standing on Old Bones (40 x 40 cm)

You can see the larger pieces listed above and below but, for now, the most important thing is to thank everyone who made the time to visit and – in particular – all those who felt inspired to buy one of my works, however large or small, be it a painting, print, drawing or simply a card.

So, thank you all, and I’ll look forward to seeing you again next year!

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil on canvas, titled "Untouched". Size 40 x 30 cm.
Untouched (40 x 30 cm)
Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil on canvas, titled "So Still". Size 60 x 74 cm.
So Still (60 x 74 cm)
Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil on canvas, titled "You Know How I Feel". Size 30 x 30 cm.
You Know How I Feel (30 x 30 cm)
Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil on canvas, titled "In at the Deep End", showing a woman underwater, lunging for the surface in a cloud of bubbles. Size 60 x 90 cm.
In at the Deep End (60 x 90 cm)

New Exhibitions

Suffolk Open Studios

After the 2020 event had to be cancelled, I’m very pleased to be taking part again in this year’s Suffolk Open Studios programme. 130 artists will be opening their studios and galleries to the public across Suffolk over the four weekends of June.

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's landscape painting in oil on canvas, depicting long grass against a sea background. Title "Another Side of Time". Size 100 x 100 cm.
Another Side of Time (100 x 100 cm)

You can get a taste of what I’ll be showing by visiting the Suffolk Open Studios page on my website  or – better still –  coming along to see for yourself! I’m opening my studio 11am-4pm on two weekends: 5-6 and 12-13 June (other times by appointment) and look forward to seeing you there.

“Moving On”

I’m also taking part in Easterly Artists’ Summer Exhibition “Moving On”, which opens at the Anteros Gallery in Norwich on 8 June.

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil on canvas, titled "If the Time is Right". Size 100 x 50 cm.
If the Time is Right (100 x 50 cm)

The show runs Tue 8- Sat 19 June, and Anteros is at 11-15 Fye Bridge Street, Norwich NR3 1LJ. Opening times are Tue-Sat, 9.30am-5pm and entry is free.

Keep in touch

If you’d like to keep up-to-date on all the latest developments for either of these and other events, don’t forget to follow me, Suffolk Open Studios and Easterly Artists on social media.

And, of course, let me know if you’d like to be added to my mailing list: drop me a line via the Contact page on my site, with your details.

New Sales

It’s been a busy few months! In between creating a number of new pieces (See the “New Work” page) and preparing for two new exhibitions – more details to follow – I’m pleased to announce a number of sales.

The following pieces have all gone to new homes:

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's painting in oil, titled "Oh Morning". Size 25 x 30 cm.
Oh! Morning (30 x 25 cm)
British artist Hilary Barry's work in ink and gouache, titled "Marches Study 9". Size 25 x 20 cm.
Marshes Study 9 (25 x 20 cm)
Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's work in ink and gouache, titled "Marches Study 10". Size 25 x 20 cm.
Marshes Study 10 (25 x 20 cm)
Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry's work in gouache on paper, titled "Suffolk Study". Size 25 x 20 cm.
Suffolk Study (25 x 20 cm)

Great Big Art Exhibition

I’m taking part in The Great Big Art Exhibition. ⁣This is the first of two charcoal on paper pieces I’ve prepared.

Dog and Ball

The idea is for people to create an artwork at home – it can be a painting, drawing, sculpture or whatever you want – to display in their window or garden. The plan is to create a rolling nationwide exhibition, inspired by the rainbows people made to celebrate the NHS and keyworkers during the first lock-down. ⁣

This is how it works. Every two weeks, a different artist chooses a new subject: the theme for the first fortnight, chosen by Antony Gormley, is animals. When I first moved to Kessingland, people I met didn’t ask “How are you?” but “Where’s your dog?” (I don’t have one) so, in their honour, I’ve chosen dogs as my first subject. ⁣

Dog(s) in the Window

You can learn more about the exhibition and how to take part here, or follow it on social media using the hashtag #greatbigartexhibition.

Preparing Canvases for New Work

Photograph of British artist Hilary Barry priming canvases in her Kessingland studio.
Priming canvases in my studio, ready for the next series

2020’s been a busy year, apart from the obvious issue of dealing with Coronavirus and the associated difficulties.

With the Pit Girls exhibition in March followed by two Easterly Artists virtual exhibitions in May and September, it’s time to start the process of framing and preparing new canvases.