The Jardine Gallery & Workshop has welcomed its first visitors to its studio in Colliergate.
Set up by owner Julian and his partner Ali, the gallery hosts many talented artists’ work, including paintings, sculptures, photography, glasswork, woodcraft and jewellery.
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Julian, who relocated from Perth, Scotland – where he owned a gallery for 18 years – said much of the inspiration behind his new studio came from creative spaces in Scandinavia.
He explained: “I found that studios in Scandinavia had a little bit of everything, from sculptures to landscape pieces.
“I wanted to emulate that – hosting a variety of art, even if I find it difficult to sell – it adds to the experience for people.”
Julian and Ali purchased the three-storey building – formerly Saskia & Co – after being enchanted by York and its proximity to art shows in the UK.
The owner is a ceramicist himself with over 30 years of experience.
Speaking about this, he said: “After graduating from the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, I became self-employed with the aid of the Prince’s Trust in 1993.
“I supplied galleries in the UK and abroad while tackling a variety of freelance sculpting jobs before starting my art gallery in Perth in 2008.
“We then opened up a workshop, where we would host a variety of art and sculpting classes for both adults and children to help fund the studio, in 2012.”
But it was a need for a change of pace and new scenery which drew the artist to York.
His studio is lined with international and local artists’ work, including Stella Mays – the recipient of the BBC Wildlife Artist of the Year and the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year awards.
While browsing, customers can also catch Julian sculpting in real time.
He said: “Currently, I am working on a giant tortoise for a collector.
“My last one took me three days to sculpt and a further five days to dry, fire, rest and paint.
“I also have moulds of previous ceramic sculptures to save time and to make it more affordable for the customer, as I would like to show art of varying prices and styles.”
Eventually, Julian said he would like to convert a snug space outside the studio into an area for his electric kiln, along with more space for art on the building’s top floor.
He added that in the coming months, a weekly workshop for York visitors and residents may be put on for up to 10 people.
For more on his work and the studio, please visit here.
