The Canon Gallery, established in 1985, has just opened its new premises in Oundle, Northamptonshire.
Green started in rooms above a bookshop in Chichester next to Canon Lane (hence the name of the gallery). He later moved to Petworth (in 1993) and traded from there until 2005.
Back on a street
He and his wife (BADA Friends director Anne Green) moved north to near Oundle in 2006. Although he thought the town would make a good base for a gallery he had become “used to dealing from home and via fairs and continued that way”.
This was until the pandemic struck. “I was at The Open Art Fair in March 2020 when that closed after two days. At that moment I thought ‘I am never going to do a fair again or at least an expensive fair again’. The rental for the gallery in Oundle for the year is less than the total cost of The Open Art Fair,” says Green.
He took on the premises in Oundle when he heard the lease had become available.
Inside The Canon Gallery's new premises in Oundle.
“So now I am back on a street after a gap of 15 years and so far enjoying it. Oundle is a lovely town with a very famous public school.
“There are other dealers here including Green Man Antiques, The Oundle Clock Shop (both well established) and Contemporary art galleries. It is a town which makes an ideal home for art and antiques businesses. Hopefully others will join us.”
Green continues to deal in oils and watercolours from the 18th, 19th and 20th century. Artists on view at the gallery include John Piper, Ivon Hitchens, Frank Brangwyn, SR Percy, Charles Napier Hemy, William Callow and many more.
One of the works offered by The Canon Gallery is this oil on canvas by Sir Frank Brangwyn RA (1867-1956). 'The Boat Shed, Sandwich', is signed with initials, dated 1886. It is a very early work by the artist when he was aged 19 and has an asking price of £34,000.
The gallery is at 4b New Street, Oundle, and opens Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm, and otherwise by appointment.
