1. John Spencer Churchill, 'Row of Blossom Trees with Oast Houses Beyond'

I was particularly drawn to the composition of this work by John Spencer Churchill, (Lot 150). The eye is drawn to the line of blossom trees which snake down the hill leading towards the cluster of oast houses with the sprawling vista beyond. The way in which the brushstrokes have been used in the foreground to create a sense of movement and atmosphere, makes the viewer feel as if they are immersed in the elements, feeling the wind on their backs as they stand up on the hill looking down towards the houses beyond. The brewing storm gathers in the clouds which floods the canvas with a sense of tension despite the hope of blue sky peering through the centre of the sky.

John Spencer Churchill was the son of John Strange Spencer-Churchill (1880-1947) and Lady Gwendoline Theresa Mary Berite (1885-1941) and nephew of Sir Winston Churchill. When he was in his early 20s, John Spencer Churchill travelled round Italy with Sir William Nicholson and continued to explore his artistic tendencies. During the Spanish Civil War he worked for the Illustrated London News, sketching and whilst he was on this trip he made acquaintance with Bernard Meninsky. Churchill Spencer was also heavily involved in Chartwell where he worked on murals and friezes under the direction of Lady Churchill.

2. Eva Drewett, 'Split Form'

Best viewed in the round, Lot 183, Eva Drewett’s Split Form is a fascinating sculpture. The work appears from certain angles to be a solid form outlining the contours and curves of the human back but as one moves around the sculpture the form splits apart breaking into two sections still joined at the base. Look inside and one is faced with the most intricate, textured design which contrasts the smooth exterior of the sculpture. Continue around and the viewer is reminded of a natural form such as a seed or bean. This is a striking sculpture which would make a statement piece in a contemporary or traditional interior, focusing on bringing nature and the outdoors inside.

3. Carlos Laharrague Rodriquez-Bauza, 'Lemons'

Lot 33 showcases a realist depiction by Carlos Laharrague Rodriquez-Bauza (1936-2018), inspired by a Dutch 17^th century still life. He has captured four lemons resting on a black background with the reflection glistening off the surface and the light glinting from the lemon’s waxy skins. The realist approach is highly skilled and shows Rodriguez-Bauza’s specialist attention to detail and the charming depiction of this citrus fruit.

4. David Roberts, 'An Ovoid Blue Green Pot'

We are pleased to present a private collection of studio pottery (Lots 135-148). I have selected Lot 135 by David Roberts who is one of the world's leading practitioners in Raku ceramics, a technique traditionally used on small vessels used in Japanese tea ceremonies dating back to 16th century. Roberts was born in Sheffield in 1947 and works from his studio in Holmfirth on the Yorkshire Pennine. Roberts draws inspiration from the natural world following the flowing lines of contours in our landscape and colour patterns caused by layers of stone. I admire the curved form of this ovoid vase, executed with a bright white glaze. Black veins run around the underside and creep up the side of the vase, emphasising the negative space left in pure white. It is interesting to see the way in which studio pottery is incorporated into the interior and how each individual interprets the forms differently. It is a fantastic way of pairing paintings with tactile objects, aside from sculpture.

5. Jaclyn Cori, 'The Day The Moon Went Away XVII'

Included in the auction is a small collection of photographs which would provide an excellent introduction to a collector or first time buyer. Lot 192 by Jacklyn Cori, perfectly captures a moment in time as the girl is held twisted around the man’s body with her hairs blowing in the wind behind her. The ripples in the water sparkle in the distance. There is a sense of stillness in a moment of movement captured by the lens. Cori is a lens-based artist living in Savannah, Georgia. Cori studied English at The Pennsylvania State University, and photography at The Savannah College of Art and Design. Cori uses these two elements to combine elements of poetry, photography, and fiction in her work. The beautifully titled The Day The Moon Went Away is a series produced by Cori that incorporates storytelling and photography.

Auction Details

Friday 13 October | 10.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 2JE

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