Peak painter goes solo for art show

Gary Sampson’s one-man show, ‘Fifty Years – A Personal View’, featuring a selection of diverse work inspired by the Peak District landscape, opened at the Terrace Road gallery on Saturday.

Gary said: “The strongest influence on my work has always been my local environment.

“Because I paint scenes close to where I am living at any one time, my pictures reflect the geographical moves I have made at different stages of my life.”

His unique approach has passed over the years through abstraction, semi-abstraction and now figuration.

Speaking of the exhibition, he said: “The majority of paintings on display are from the last 20 years, complimented by a selection of my current works.

“I’m incredibly excited to see it all come together after months of planning and preparation.”

The former head of Expressive Arts Faculty at Ripley Mill Hill School, Gary took early retirement in 1991 to become a full-time painter and ceramicist.

Now an active member of Peak District Artisans and the Northern Potters Association, Gary takes part in a number of annual exhibitions, whilst his work can be found on permanent display at many local venues.

Fifty Years – A Personal View runs at Buxton Museum and Art Gallery until April 21.

There will be an opportunity to ‘meet the artist’ at the art gallery on Saturday February 22, between 2pm and 4pm.