Pollyanna’s Golden Triptych to go on Display
Pollyanna painted The Golden Triptych to celebrate the dawning of a new millennium in the year 2000 . This year will mark the 21st anniversary of the creation of this remarkable piece and we are honoured to present the triptych on public display in Pollyanna’s private gallery gallery this November for the very first time since it was unveiled 21 years ago.
Since her days as an art student, Pollyanna was fascinated by triptych paintings. Common in Russian art, often depicting religious subjects, triptychs usually comprise of a pair of painted hinged panels, which open to reveal three interior panels.
For several years, Pollyanna had been considering the idea of working on a triptych celebrating her own subject – wildlife. However such a major project was difficult to contemplate while she was constantly busy in the studio working on deadlines imposed by her publishers, or upcoming exhibitions. In the run up to the year 2000, Pollyanna decided that the millennium would be the perfect time to work on a major piece, to mark this once in a lifetime occasion. It had long been her ambition to create one major piece of work depicting British fauna and flora, and this seemed the most apt moment. At the close of the twentieth century, during which our wildlife had been threatened as never before, the painting would be both a commemoration of the natural world at that moment, and a timely reminder that if we do not take steps to preserve the beauty around us, many of the animals and birds shown may disappear during the first part of the next millennium.
When the triptych was first displayed in Pollyanna’s annual Christmas exhibition, she would often close the outer panels as groups of visitors came into the gallery. When the doors were opened to reveal the glorious sunlit scene within, there would be an audible gasp. The only way to truly appreciate this masterwork is to view it in real life. Most viewers agree that the most remarkable feature of the painting is the sun itself – in the original work it is so vivid and intense that you cannot look directly at it, squinting instinctively just as though it were the real sun burning in the sky.
Pollyanna dedicated her life to painting the wildlife she also devoted so many years for caring for. This lead to a passionate concern for its survival against the odds of the irreparable damage which has been done already. It was Pollyanna’s dearest wish that the idealistic golden day depicted in the centre of her triptych would also represent a golden future for the birds and animals who shared our countryside at the dawn of the third millennium.
A limited edition print of just 100 copies of the inside panels was published to commemorate the millennium – and became the fastest selling limited edition ever to be released at one of Pollyanna’s exhibitions, selling out within ten days. To commemorate the twenty-first anniversary Anna-Louise will be releasing just seven signed and numbered copies from her personal archives.
Visitors to the exhibition which runs from 20th-28th November will also be able to view over forty additional original paintings of British Wildlife, many on display to the public for the very first time, in the relaxed and comfortable atmosphere of Pollyanna’s private gallery. Pollyanna’s daughter and business partner Anna-Louise will be on hand throughout and will be pleased to chat to visitors about the paintings and the wildlife which inspired Pollyanna’s life and work.
Anna-Louise will also be pleased to sign copies of the book ‘A Brush With Wildlife’ which tells the story of many of the creatures which feature in the triptych and describes the creation of this master work. A special commemorative 2022 calendar featuring images taken from the triptych will also be available throughout the event.
Visitors will also be able to browse at leisure through the latest additions to Pollyanna’s extensive ranges of greetings cards, fine art and limited edition prints, and a wide variety of gift ware featuring her work – including stationery, jigsaws, tea sets, china mugs, linen ware, cross stitch kits, signed sets of her postage stamps, and first day covers for the Royal Mail alongside an exclusive display of gift ware commissioned by Harrods. All of her exquisitely illustrated books will be available, as well as the latest brand new card and paper crafting kits and printable DVDroms – as launched live on television in a series of regular and popular programmes featuring Anna-Louise as a studio guest on the Create and Craft channel!
There will be over 150 Christmas card designs to choose from, including the latest charity cards featuring designs by Pollyanna for the RSPB, Guide dogs for the Blind, The Born Free Foundation, Blue Cross, The Dogs Trust and Marie Curie among many others. Eco-friendly wrapping paper and cards, and Christmas decorations will also be available.
Visitors to the gallery will have the opportunity to purchase prize draw tickets to win an original painting. Tea and Coffee will be available throughout. A minimum of 10% of all purchases will be donated to British Wildlife Conservation through The Pollyanna Pickering Foundation. 9
Date: 20th – 28th November 10.00am – 6.00pm
Exhibition : The Golden Triptych
Venue : The Gallery Brookvale House Oaker Matlock
Derbyshire DE4 2JJ (AA Signposted) Admission Free