News

Interwoven Forms: The Art of Clay and Lace

1 February - 28 March 2025

Lesley Farrell creates beautiful sculptural forms in ceramic.

Her hand-built vessels employ traditional coiling and pinch construction methods. 

Many of the pieces are double walled, creating the illusion of density, with delicate surface patterns sourced from vintage lace. 

She is interested in exploring how traces of the past can be held and recalled through hand-made objects. The transfer of the surface pattern relies on the touch of the original lace enfolding the ceramic form.  The work alludes to the former life of the lace and the absence of the persons who owned and made it. 

Having obtained a degree in Ceramics from Loughborough College of Art & Design, Lesley now pursues a career in the gallery sector and is an established curator alongside her studio practice.  She also has an MA in Photography and a PGCE Art and Design.

Elaine Peto has spent a lifetime being inspired by the natural world. From her studio in Hampshire she studies animal behaviour, their forms and characteristics. Elaine's current portfolio includes ceramic sculptures of farm and wild animals and even sea creatures. She specialises in creating one-off pieces using textured stoneware and porcelain clay.

“My aim is to capture the essence of the beast”

At Exeter College of Art & Design, Elaine studied animals through research visits to livestock markets and abattoirs, using the media of photography and drawing to record the structure of the carcass. After graduating in 1985, she continued her studies of agricultural animals, setting up her own studio in 1986.

There is a softness about Elaine's sculptures, that despite the hard ceramic form, she manages to create a flesh/skin like quality with the employment of various scratching techniques and impressing textured textiles into the soft clay. This creates a highly tactile surface that demands to be touched. Her use of multiple glazes adds a further dimension that enhances and attracts.

Elaine makes each animal as an individual, determined to suggest character with her enigmatic styling processes. Each creature is made by building the form using clay slabs: rolling out a sheet of clay and forming the body, then gradually adding slab by slab to form the whole animal. The details are then remodelled until the animal is complete. The animal is biscuit fired, glazed and re-fired to stoneware.

We are delighted to showcase the work of this accomplished sculptor at Utopia.

Utopia: The Unexpected Gallery in Holt is holding a special launch party to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, and to celebrate living 10 years in Norfolk and the opening of their new gallery at 9 Fish Hill, Holt.  The Gallery, moved across town after 5 years, from 33 High Street to 9 Fish Hill, this month.

It aims to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK, the charity leading the search for a cure for the diseases that cause dementia, by hosting a charity party with special offers on the night, a raffle and donation box.

The party takes place on 11 October at 4.30 - 7.30pm

Two new solo exhibitions to launch:

Talking Heads

Ceramic tales by famous international sculptor Christy Keeney

Menagerie

A magical animal kingdom sculpted from clay by Elaine Peto

Jac Scott said:

“We want this to be a wonderful evening of art with a strong message that Alzheimers is a dreadful disease that effects half of us in some way. It has already impacted hard on our lives and we treat each day as a new challenge. Supporting this charity is vital to progressing research into dementia."

Lucy Squance, Director of Supporter Led Fundraising at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

“If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia – either by developing it ourselves, caring for someone with it, or both. 

“Fantastic fundraising efforts like this are driving our search for a cure to end the heartbreak of dementia.” 

For further information about Alzheimer’s Research UK, or to find out more about fundraising for the charity, call 0300 111 5555 or visit www.alzheimersresearchuk.org

Painter Colin Kitchener

Suffolk's Colin Kitchener has always had a passionate interest in the beautiful medieval properties of East Anglia.  This fascination has transposed into sourcing reclaimed terracotta peg tiles from reclamation yards, to form the ground for his unique paintings. 

Each piece is an original work featuring architectural details.

Some tiles are centuries old and often bear the original craftsman’s finger print adding to the narrative. Colin paints in harmony with the individual character of the rugged texture, brought about during the firing process and then exposure to the elements, choosing to let the tile direct the details.

He says "Each tile has its own story.."


>> View the work of Colin Kitchener here <<

Pargeter Bill Sargent

Bill Sargent is amongst the highest regarded pargeters in the country. His work can be seen all over East Anglia. Pargeting is the ornamentation of a plastered and rendered building facade. It's origins can be traced back to ornamental lime plastering during the Roman Empire. Henry Vlll is believed to have brought it in fashion in sixteenth century by employing Italian plasterers to decorate Nonsuch Palace.

Bill Sargent began plastering in the 1960s, doing a formal apprenticeship, followed by working with his father continuing the tradition of conservation plasterwork and pargeting. The specialist company was set up by his grandfather in 1926.

This master craftsman can still be seen restoring ancient buildings, but for us he has created a special giant wall panel in a traditional design, ready to adorn a wall outside or inside your home. If you live in East Anglia, Bill will happily plaster this beautiful panel onto your wall using traditional techniques for a small fee. Or you could hang it as a picture.

https://pargettingcompany.com/

>> View the work of Bill Sargent here <<

Mixed-Media Artist Sarah Jane Brown

Sarah Jane Brown specialises in creating quirky sculptures where she cleverly manipulates scale. Her miniature pieces explore narratives centred around houses. Her employment of old newsprint married with wood, rusty metal and tin delivers sensitive creations with great attention to detail. Sarah's pieces are such fun and beautifully executed.

                   >> View the work of Sarah Jane Brown here <<

Woodland Tales

David Mayne has a lifelong passion for nature and landscape, evoked in his stunning sculptures made of steel and wood. He enjoys creating both large scale architectural pieces for the public realm and small scale sculptures for private collectors.

The pieces are refined from a narrative of local landscapes and fauna.

The sculptor works from Holmfirth in Yorkshire, where his love of outdoor pursuits marries happily with the wild and beautiful neighbouring countryside.

“I live near several woods that are a constant source of inspiration. The animals I combine in my work, not only define scale but also remind me of a fleeting wondrous moment when they briefly appeared in the wood".

We love flowers here at Utopia. When we conceived the notion of having a celebration of all things floral it filled us with delight and excitement. Curating the show was interesting, as we didn't want the usual suspects and subjects to feature. So we've taken a more curious route and invited artists who approach flowers from different perspectives.

Firstly, there's famous master architectural sculptor Geoffrey Preston MBE, who finds inspiration in the modelling of flowers and leaves in 18th century plasterwork and their representation in other decorative arts, from the flowers of chintz textiles to the painting of Sèvres and Nymphenburg porcelain. He finds it an enduring challenge to represent the ephemeral and delicate quality of flowers in a concrete, material form.

Geoffrey Preston studied sculpture at Hornsey College of Art, trained as a stonemason and carver, and was a founding director of two of the country’s most respected conservation companies. In 2000 he set up his studio in Devon, where he works with a small team creating beautiful new work commissioned by architects, designers and private clients.

Credited by Country Life Magazine with creating ‘the most inspiring plaster decoration of modern times’, in 2021 Geoffrey was awarded an MBE for services to stucco and plasterwork in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Take a look at Geoffrey Preston's work, in our online shop

Kelly Swani was originally a jewellery designer, but after being diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder, she now works with paper, from her home in Jersey.  Kelly's delicate sculptures capture the fleeting beauty found in the intricacy of nature.  She combines found and natural materials, with precision and dexterity, using wires and crepe paper, to create intriguing expressions of lasting floral forms. Many of her sculptures feature an exquisite insect, creating an enchanting focal point.

Take a look at Kelly Swani's work, in our online shop

Artist Sarah Luxford, from Brighton, draws in the air with a single, unbroken line of wire to create beautiful, elegant sculptures that resonate her passion for the natural world.  Her intricate compositions illustrate not only her dexterity, but also her insightful eye and attention to the detail of flowers.  She enjoys the challenge of selecting flowers where she can build the wire into strong three-dimensional forms. This creativity reflects her vision of the endless potential of using a single medium.  Whilst the interplay of light and shadow adds depth and dimension, breathing life into her floral sculptures.

Take a look at Sarah Luxford's work, in our online shop

Then we have Norfolk artist Sally Anne Fitter, who is an established international artist of repute. Initially, Sally ran a Textile Design Studio in London, but she now paints professionally with her passion for textiles still shining through her highly textured collaged pictures of flowers.  Sally has exhibited widely in London at: the Affordable Art Fair, the London Art Fair in Islington and the Marie Josie Gallery, Kensington. Recent solo shows include The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle.  Her acrylic collages are vibrant, joyful expressions of her love of flowers.

Take a look at Sally Anne Fitter's work, in our online shop

The Floribunda exhibition will have a vibrant, colour saturated palette with a deliberate counterpoint of monotone to create an unexpected dynamic.

Living near the sea is both a delight and a wonder: a watery world that is continually in flux.  Always engaging and dynamic, the sea's different moods and weathers effect and stimulate a way of being. Creating emotional artistic responses to the sea is as fundamental as breathing for artists who are lucky enough to reside near the coast. In this new exhibition, Fish & Ships, three artists respond in different ways to coastal living.

Dreya Bennett 

Dreya is an artist of the sea. Captivated by the ocean at an early age she went on to kite surf in the world championships and achieve a world record between Cornwall and Ireland. Now retired from competitions, she embraces her passion for the waves through working with fused glass. Read more about Cornwall artist Dreya Bennett.

"The sea is all encompassing: its colours, sounds and smells, its reflections, translucency and constant movement can hold your attention like nothing else. The similar unique qualities of glass, which have captured my heart, form the perfect medium to express water."

Paul Campbell

Paul's love of boats started at an early age - spending weekends volunteering at the Liverpool Maritime Museum, where he helped restore the 3-masted schooner De Wadden and the pilot boat Edmund Gardner.

Norfolk's Paul Campbell's Bath Tap Boats arose from Paul's enjoyment of salvaging wood and other reclaimed materials. His magpie eye has led to a varied collection of items, from copper pipes and old brass hinges to Victorian taps, which he now gives a new lease of life incorporating them into his handcrafted boats. Read more about Norfolk artist Paul Campbell.

Each Bath Tap Boat is unique.

Frances Noon

Frances Noon is fascinated by the manipulation of scale. She creates small playful vignettes of country or seaside scenes, crafted from wood, brass and copper.

In her workshop in the foothills of the Southern Pennines, she carefully makes quirky miniature animals and birds from metal to adorn her sculptures of hand-painted structures. Noon's world is one of delight and she invites us to play. Read more about Yorkshire artist Frances Noon.

Jac Scott

Meanwhile, owner of Utopia, artist Jac Scott, responds to the sea in dramatic sweeps of oil paint, colour and texture.

Well-observed fish studies painted with oils on vintage plates is another way Jac Scott tells her narrative of living by the sea. Read more about Norfolk artist Jac Scott and Utopia: The Unexpected Gallery.

Spring fever has transformed the gallery into a hilarious menagerie of black metal animals all vying for attention. Mick Kirkby Geddes is the gallery's guest artist for May...

>> Click to view & buy here in our online shop <<

Mick is a Yorkshire man. He was born in Sheffield, but now lives with his family in the Pennines. After finishing a Fine Art Degree at Leeds Polytechnic in 1988, he set out to work as a sculptor and metalsmith, combining his passion for 1970s comics and a love of metal. It all started at university when his materials budget ran out. Unfazed he went looking for scrap.

Mick now has a workshop full of discarded junk. He hates waste and spends his days sorting, cutting and welding the scrap together with new steel to create innovative and quirky sculptures. Some of the pieces he galvanises, then powder coats so that they can go outside. Mick also loves to manipulate scale with sizes ranging from a few centimetres up to several meters. He welcomes commissions.

His Animal Crackers exhibition runs until the end of May and has been warmly received by visitors to the gallery. Collectors have arrived from all over the world including Australia, where one of his cheeky little dogs now resides.

So don't miss out! Check out his work >>Here in our online shop>> or pop in and take a look, we'd love to see you. Read more about Yorkshire artist Mick Kirkby-Geddes.

Utopia: The Unexpected Gallery is based in the heart of Holt, near the north Norfolk coast. It is an independent gallery owned by husband and wife, Michael Slaney and Jac Scott. It’s not just another gallery - it is the 'Unexpected Gallery' in every way. Proudly not a white cube space, but one that juxtaposes curated antiques with contemporary art.

The gallery is filled with contemporary fine art created by founder Jac Scott. Jac's art practice is without creative boundaries. She paints original oils evocative of the local land and seascapes plus she draws black and white studies of Norfolk's wildlife and landscapes. These are available in the gallery as limited edition prints complemented by open edition prints featuring a single colour block. There are also original oil paintings of fruit, vegetables and fish adorning antique plates, creating small still life masterpieces to hang on your wall. Also made in-house is the Enigma Variations Collection, where unusual tiny antiques are displayed under glass domes adorned with vintage butterflies from unwanted museum collections. Plus there are greeting cards which are unusual and very collectable.  Jac Scott's work is only available from Utopia - she is too busy creating for her own gallery to supply anyone else!

Utopia has a refined selection of artists-in-residence including: nationally renowned wildlife sculptor David Cooke who makes stunning animal sculptures from stoneware - suitable for inside or outside display as they are frost proof. Plus there is internationally acclaimed Christy Keeney, a ceramicist who creates charming figurative sculptures in his own unique style. Whilst local sculptors, Cindy Lee Wright and Shaun Pickering, make striking and engaging metal and wood sculptures of the local flora and fauna.

To enhance this dynamic offering, each month the gallery invites a guest artist to exhibit. With a strong emphasis on three-dimensional pieces, the monthly exhibition provides a refreshing themed show.

There's a great relaxed vibe in Utopia, where Gloria the levitating gull welcomes you before the friendly staff say hello. Customer service is obviously a priority -  they never make you feel pressured or rushed. Jac's mission is to offer accessibly priced art, so it's not surprising that they have a very loyal following after ten years since inception.  On most Saturdays you can usually see the artist herself working in the gallery and chatting to customers.

Artist Jac Scott is the founder of Utopia: The Unexpected Gallery and is a multi-award winning visual artist, a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors with an international exhibition portfolio. Scott's work is in private and corporate collections across the globe.

Art has been at the heart of my life since the early years. At the age of two I was making my own designs from various materials.  As I grew older I recognised that art was my backbone.  I feel blessed that I discovered this, since it has been my solace and salvation through the ups and downs of life.

I have been a member of the Royal Society of Sculptors for many years now and continue to support this excellent institution. But making sculpture is all consuming and not something that can be slotted in easily to a busy day.  Sadly I realised that when I created Utopia ten years ago it meant that I would have to let go of my sculpture practice.

Drawing and painting have always informed my three-dimensional work, so further developing that foundation seemed a logical step.  I am eternally grateful that my style of painting and drawing is something that other people enjoy enough to have in their homes and businesses. Thank you to all the thousands of people from all over the world that have purchased my pieces.

Back to sculpture: I have a thriving gallery business underpinned with my own creations and when Mick retired from making lighting from antiques last December, I saw an opportunity for sculpture to reenter. Hence, Utopia now aims to become a beacon of sculptural excellence with a curated programme of monthly exhibitions showcasing a range of sculptors and their responses to the world. Each month we will celebrate at least one artist and their practice. The work will be diverse and engaging, well crafted and made with a narrative. You won't like all of it, but that's the beauty of art.

I aim to keep the pricing accessible for most people, just as I do for my own artwork, so everyone can enjoy art in their homes.  This pricing policy has underpinned the philosophy at Utopia from inception. As always the work will be ready to be taken away on purchase - which I know is something clients really appreciate. Commissions will also be possible from most artists.

 A major announcement in support of our new focus, is that the celebrated wildlife sculptor David Cooke has agreed to exhibit his wonderful pieces on a permanent basis. This is such an exciting time and David's work has been so well received.   He welcomes commissions, so if you have a particular animal in mind, then do get in touch.  Here's a small selection of some of his sculptures which are made of stoneware and can be displayed inside or outside - yes they are frost proof.

>> Click to view & buy here in our online shop <<

It's an exciting time ahead and I hope you enjoy the journey with us.  Read more about Yorkshire artist David Cooke.

Jac Scott

2024 is a very exciting year for Utopia.

Not only are we celebrating 10 years of utopian living but we also plan to expand this year to bigger, more central premises in the town. 

Mick's retirement from making lighting means that we now have more room for art. So 2024 sees the start of our new venture. Each month we will have a guest artist who has been specially selected to exhibit at Utopia. I'm choosing artists that each have a clear narrative, make beautiful work and have a philosophy which dovetails into our own. Expect stunning sculpture and work that you can connect with.  Each artist will have something different to offer and not everyone will like them all, but that's the beauty of art. The exhibitions will last around 4 weeks. We hope that you are as excited about this new dimension to Utopia as we are.

We start the programme on 25 March - here are the first two artists we're showing, so do make a note in your diary. All the work is for immediate sale as always, which we know is very popular with you. And all the artists accept commissions, but note each piece is unique.

Best wishes,

Jac

We are delighted to welcome David Cooke and Mick Kirkby-Geddes to our unexpected fold of exceptional artists.

Fur & Feathers

The Extraordinary Ceramics of David Cooke

25 March - 24 April 2024

Prize winning nationally renowned wildlife sculptor, David Cooke, has been studying animals all his life. He draws from his childhood in East Anglia and his current home in Yorkshire, to create sculptures that are as individual as the subjects he studies. Whilst always experimenting with new materials and techniques, Cooke particularly enjoys the challenge of ceramics and bronze.

.   . 

Animal Crackers

The Playful Sculpture of Mick Kirkby-Geddes

5 May - 1 June

Mick Kirkby-Geddes's metal sculpture is incredible. From his workshop in the Yorkshire Pennines he transforms the old into something new with a fresh engaging dynamic. Curiosity and a healthy dose of 1970’s kids tv and comics informs his often humorous pieces and brings them to life.

 . . .