David Moore opens new art gallery on Kirkgate, Newark

A new art gallery in the heart of Newark is a showcase for artists from in and around the town to display and sell their work.

Newark Art is an independent gallery that was opened in April by artist David Moore, who is moving to the town at the end of this month.

David was born and brought up on the east coast of Lincolnshire, but spent 38 years living and working in South Africa before deciding to return to England.

He met his British wife Debbie in South Africa, and the couple’s children were born and still live there.

“But we always knew we would come back,” David said. “My heart is here, although my soul is in South Africa.”

While abroad, David worked in theatre stage management and design, in furniture design and sales, and had his own gallery.

Having returned to Lincolnshire a year ago, David set about finding somewhere in the Midlands to open a gallery.

“I always knew I would have a gallery, but I didn’t know where. I looked all over the place.”

Someone suggested he should visit Newark.

“I had never been before but I came and I liked it,” he said.

He took the lease on part of a 15th Century building in Kirkgate, which used to be occupied by a coffee house and flower shop.

“I knew what wall area I needed, and the building is beautiful,” he said.

The characterful space has bare brick floors covered in colourful rugs, and plain white walls punctuated with black beams, which form a striking backdrop to the artwork.

Many of the pieces have been created by David himself, who works in a range of mediums, but favours oil on canvas or board.

Soon after opening he was visited by a member of Newark Art Club, and the pair got talking about the possibility of club members using the gallery to exhibit and sell their work.

“And that is how it started ­— word of mouth,” David said.

“Now I am doing what I love ­— I love art and I love meeting and talking to people.”

The range of art on display and for sale ranges in style and medium, but the pieces have two things in common.

“I wanted everything to be both local and affordable,” David said.

“It is all priced so it does not create a barrier to owning art.”

With this in mind, the gallery is having an open evening on Friday, May 24, when there will be a wall devoted to small, framed pictures all costing just £30. It will run from 6pm.

David’s own work is inspired by a range of subjects, locations and ideas, and he never runs short of things to paint.

“There are so many ideas, so little time,” he said.

“Inspiration can come from things I have seen or heard, conversations, something on television... and I just go from there.

Some pieces feature scenes from South Africa, but there are others of places closer to home, including Lincoln street views.

“I don’t have a particular style, but I like to work quickly, starting and finishing a piece in one day,” David said.

He is looking forward to getting to know Newark better and drawing inspiration from the town for new work.

“Its a lovely town. You have only got to look out of the door and there are so many things to paint,” he said.