The Art of the Country - Pollyanna's Christmas Exhibition

The Art of the Country – Pollyanna Pickering Christmas Exhibition
Date : 24th November - 9th December 10.00am - 6.00pm (Late night shoppng Wednesdays until 8.00pm)
Venue : The Gallery, Brookvale House, Oaker, Matlock, Derbyshire
(AA Signposted) 01629 55851 (admission free)

Please note : the road layout in Matlock has recently changed. Click for directions.

Although Pollyanna is renowned for her expeditions into some of the most remote and inhospitable parts of the world to study and paint endangered species in their natural habitats, her first love remains the beauty of the Peak District of Derbyshire, where she has made her home. The paintings which will be on display at her Christmas exhibition have been inspired by her love of the wildlife and landscapes of the British Isles. Her long-awaited fourth book ‘The Eye of the Tiger’ will be exclusively launched at the exhibition.

Visitors will be welcomed to her private gallery at Brookvale House, Oker, near Matlock, (AA Signposted) between 24th November – 9th December to view over fifty original paintings on public display for the very first time, in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. the gallery will be open between 10.00am - 6.00pm daily . late night shopping Wenesday 28th November and Wednesday 5th December until 8.00pm.

Paintings on display have been inspired by Pollyanna's many sketching trips throughout the Peak District - and cover the beauty of all the four seasons, from the snows of winter to the bluebells in Spring. Many of the birds and animals featured in the paintings were cared for by Pollyanna in the animal hospital she ran for fifteen years. There will be an exclusive display of gift ware commissioned by Harrods to commemorate the 21st Anniversary of their Christmas Bear, alongside Pollyanna's extensive ranges of greetings cards, fine art and limited edition prints, and a wide variety of gift ware featuring her designs, including stationery, china mugs, cross stitch and embroidery kits, collectors plates and much more. There will be over 150 Christmas card designs to choose from, including the latest charity cards published by Guide dogs for the Blind, Battersea Dogs Home, Cats Protection League, The Wildlife Trust, Compassion in World Farming and Blue Cross among many others. Seven new fine art calendars of her work will be available including British Wildlife and Owls.

Her fourth book ‘The Eye of the Tiger’ will be exclusively launched at the exhibition. The book is the beautifully illustrated story of two expeditions to India recounting her unique experiences painting the majestic tiger and the heroic efforts of all those who strive to ensure its survival in the wild.

The book tells the remarkable story of an orphaned sloth bear cub as well as Pollyanna’s visit to the Bannaghatta reserve to sketch the ‘Born Free’ tigers. These five tigers were rescued from a roadside circus in Kent, where they had been kept in horrendous conditions, in cages with barely enough space to turn round. “The only image I had of these tigers prior to my visit was the black and white photos of them confined in their circus 'beast wagon', a squalid prison. To see them roaming free under the heat of the Indian sun was an incredible experience.” Pollyanna commented. Pollyanna also worked with anti-poaching rangers in the heart of a project tiger reserve. In order to see and sketch her subjects first hand Pollyanna was bounced, jolted, cut, bruised, and scratched stung and bitten - and even charged by a wild tiger. "I have had one or two scary moments over the years of travelling to paint endangered species” Pollyanna commented "but I have never experienced a fear like looking into the eyes of a snarling wild tiger from a distance of four feet." The foreword for the book has been written by actress and conservationist Virginia McKenna. Pollyanna will be on hand to sign copies throughout the exhibition.

'The Eye of the Tiger...... is a superb and a truly imaginative blend of paintings, photographs and travelogue - absolutely fascinating and inspiring images."

Nick Jenkins

International Director

International Fund for Animal Welfare