A FORMER illustrator and estate manager is marking his return to the dale by opening a fine art gallery in Barnard Castle.
David Hall, who previously managed Raby Castle, is currently preparing Mortall Gallery, in Newgate, to open provisionally on December 5.
The gallery will exhibit the works of nine artists, including painters, ceramicists and a sculptress.
Mr Hall, who started out as an advertising and scientific illustrator, managed Raby Castle for a decade from 1990 before Joining William Salvin in 2000. He spent a further ten years in land management in the Midlands.
He said: “My life is like a clockwork of decades, with ten year intervals.”
While working in estate management Mr Hall continued with his art, turning from illustrating to painting, focussing mainly on wildlife.
He returned to Teesdale shortly before Christmas last year with the intention of becoming a flying instructor, but abandoned those plans when the country went into lockdown.
He then teamed up with dale artist Stephanie Grant to start the gallery, which takes its name from an inscription on the side of the building which states: “O Remember Man Is Mortall” .
Mr Hall said: “That is a great name and fits in with what is happening at the moment.”
He added that Covid had led to a surge in creativity, but most of this was being promoted digitally. He said: “The digital communication of artwork, as important as it is, is no substitute for actually experiencing the item created by hand. Thus, the birth of the Mortall Gallery. I am a firm believer that you have to see art before you buy it.”
As to opening while restrictions are still in place, he added: “We can have six people in here, but you are never going to have more than that anyway.”
However, restrictions mean that there will be a very different opening from the usual.
He said: “Normally there would be canapes and music, but sadly not, it’ll be subdued and quiet.”
For more information about the new gallery visit mortallgallery.com.
