The Balman Gallery Presents Four Exhibtions Featuring Four Artists

Written by Robert Charlton Sunday, 06 November 2011 22:47

Corbridge, Northumberland, UK.- The Balman Gallery is please to present four shows  Matthew Roby’s ‘The Fateful Fable of 13’ Tour and artists Mark Halsey, Norrie Harman and Jim Edwards all featured in the Balman Gallery. Sculptor Matthew Roby’s work is at Balman Gallery, Princes Street, Corbridge, from 16th September to November 16th as part of his ‘The Fateful Fable of 13’ tour.  This original sculpture, literary and illustration travelling extravaganza features Matt’s clever mixed media creatures, which will appeal to children and adults alike. This tour is unique to the North East. Fantastic figurative work by Mark Halsey, colourful Jim Edwards’ landscapes and Norrie Harman’s haunting paintings contrast with Matt’s playful sculptures. Matthew Roby is a designer, illustrator and sculptor. With a background in advertising, animation, model making, book illustration and public art, Matthew also set up his own production company, ‘Pickled Circus’. ‘Ambidextrous’, a giant, typewriting millipede, is the most famous of his many public commissions.

His influences include Tim Burton and Roald Dahl. For Matthew, the number 13 has proven very lucky indeed. Born on Friday 13th, Matthew is an artist of considerable reputation. ‘The Fateful Fable of 13’ explores the mystery and superstition surrounding the number 13. Due to Matthew’s dark and playful imagination, this exhibition is likely to prompt tears of laughter. Matthew’s cast of 13 weird and wonderful characters, born in the fictitious month of Thirteenber, bring about each other’s grisly demise in a highly entertaining fashion. The published book, featuring Matthew’s vivid use of language, is for sale alongside the artworks –  sculptures, original sketches and prints. All visitors are welcome.


Mark Halsey practises martial arts, meditation and Reiki, and his atmospheric paintings reflect this spiritual nature. Mark was born in Hull in 1961 and now lives in East Yorkshire. After completing a foundation course in Art, he worked as a decorative designer, whilst gaining recognition as a figurative artist. His work became increasingly distinctive and collectable and after receiving an award at the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts Open Exhibition in 1998, Mark’s profile rose dramatically. Mark’s paintings have appeared on a range of major TV dramas. Norrie Harman’s haunting work is beautifully painted, bearing testimony to skills learnt at Edinburgh College and years of drawing from life. Norrie is influenced by Francis Bacon and German Expressionists such as Max Beckmann. Prestigious commissions include Edinburgh International Airport. Norrie was featured on ITV'S 'My Yorkshire' with Ian Clayton, won ‘The Scottish Royal Academy Latimer’ award for outstanding young Scottish painter and also the ‘Paul Girdwood Memorial Prize’. Lastly, acclaimed landscape artist Jim Edwards has contributed a series of distinctive paintings. Jim made his name painting iconic, almost Cubist, cityscapes of Newcastle, often featuring the Tyne Bridge and quayside.  Many collectors know Jim for his BUPA commission of an amazing triptych of the Great North Run. These paintings make a colourful addition to a fabulous and eclectic show.

Andy Balman, “the irrepressible entrepreneur” as described by the Daily Telegraph, has been involved in the arts and creative industries in the North East for 25 years. After setting up and managing the legendary Riverside Music venue in Newcastle for 15 years, he went on to establish Europe’s largest commercial art gallery, The Biscuit Factory, also in Newcastle. More recently he set up the Newcastle Gateshead Art Fair that attracts galleries and collectors from the UK and abroad. Having worked with thousands of artists and collectors Andy decided to set up Balman Gallery to focus on developing the collectors market in the region. Balman Gallery represents a wide range of artists and makers from emerging artists at the start of their career to established artists. The Gallery shows art and craft ranging from ceramics, glass, and jewellery to sculpture and paintings. Balman Gallery is based in the beautiful Grade 2 listed Town Hall Buildings in Corbridge, an historic village in the Tyne Valley west of Newcastle near Hadrian’s Wall. With 5 rooms over 2 floors there is always a wide range of work on display. Visit the gallery's website at ... http://www.balmangallery.com

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