Talking Stones and Richard

By Denise Hale – Saturday 28th June, 2003

Mention Eton and its famous public school springs to mind, it’s presence in this small town gives an indication to the clientele that Nicholas Pritchard, the gallery owner, can normally expect to visit his gallery and explains why Eton’s small High Street boasts several galleries. Outside of Britain you may wonder whereabouts Eton is but no doubt you’ve heard of Windsor (and it’s famous castle) well you literally walk over a bridge and into Eton. Only the River Thames separates the two towns.

The gallery is housed in an Elizabethan building that you step down into. The shop has a window either side of the doorway; inside the gallery is long and narrow. Three-quarters of the way down the pay-area was laid out with champagne and there were a couple of steps upwards to the final quarter. The bottom section is hung with paintings from the Glasgow School of Art, the top with paintings of Provence and Tuscany – part of the next exhibition. The sculptures were placed all around the gallery on every surface available and inside the door, on the left-hand side, were grouped a dozen or so sculptures with red dots indicating that they had already been sold.

Arriving at 11.30am the gallery was quiet and I had time to wander and study the various artworks. Many were smaller than I had envisioned. Some of the figures were created from a single stone; their limbs and faces were then polished until dark and smooth whereas clothing remained naturally white, although texturally etched by the sculptor’s chisel. Kieran, my son, liked the tall, elegant birds, particularly a pelican. I later chatted to someone who had been to Zimbabwe, he preferred the quirky, polished pieces, like ‘sitting too long’, with their smooth surface. My particular favourite was the upper body of an angel that was craved in a very rare stone called lepidolite, this stone is slightly darker than amethyst. The angel was sleeping with his head resting on his hands and a leaf-shaped wing raised upright.

Nicholas and his staff were really lovely people who weren’t concerned that I didn’t have the finances in which to indulge my tastes. They were friendly and created a warm, informal atmosphere which I’m sure is the reason his loyal customers return. One lady had brought two pieces of sculpture and was seeking a third. Nicholas explained that this is his fourteenth exhibition of African sculpture, but the first one to be linked to Waterford. He hoped it would be the first of many as it was such a good cause.

Richard arrived dead on 12.30, by which time the gallery contained a reasonable number of people. He was elegantly dressed for the beautiful summer’s weather we were experiencing; single-breasted cream jacket, light blue shirt, fawn trousers and brown suede shoes. Immediately he began chatting to attendees before making his way to the steps from where he officially opened the exhibition.

He greeted the assembled art-lovers warmly and explained that a percentage of all sales of sculpture would be donated to Waterford School, his own alma mater, it had been founded by an Englishman on principles of equality that angered it’s neighbour, South Africa. They actually sought to close the school down! Today it seeks to provide an educational opportunity for Africa’s brightest children no matter what their financial circumstances are. In order to achieve this aim people in London work hard to raise money for bursaries. Richard stated that all money raised went to the school and that present conversion rates were highly favourable, £1 equating to 15 Rands.

After a round of applause Joan and I approached Richard and I believe that he recognised us from our previous encounter at the Orange Tree Theatre. He was truly mortified to discover his mistake in a recent REGiment e-mail, where names had been missed out in his thanks, and queried until the reason was exposed. He had simply believed everyone’s names were included in greetings at the back of the book. He was adamant that he would correct this error as soon as possible (which he later did). From his queries it was obvious that he was well acquainted with the contents of the book and he appreciated the effort made to produce it for him.

Richard was interested to know how we knew of event and admitted he was lapse at e-mailing details of such to Cam, however it was apparent that he wasn’t comfortable with the notion of continually pushing his brief appearances through site. Although many of Richard’s characters could be described as egotistical in person this flaw is not detectable in the man himself, but as many people confuse an actor with his parts I could understand his reluctance to be misinterpreted as reinforcing this image. However, Richard, as I said, if you don’t mind us turning up we do need to know!

As we chatted a young reporter waited patiently to interview Richard for the local paper.

Richard stayed at the gallery for over an hour allowing anyone who wished to a chance to chat with him. One elderly lady commented to Joan, “He’s rather good-looking – who is he?”. Joan explained, mentioning WithNail and I, to which the lady shook her head. Then Joan mentioned Jack and Sarah, “Oh!” declared the lady, “that was on the other night.” (It had been, on FilmFour) “Oh yes I watched that. A very good film. He is absolutely dishy!”

At some stage Richard made the effort to go over and speak to Kieran. I had introduced him to Richard when we initially met. I was impressed by Richard’s thoughtfulness as so many people ignore children. It was Joan who told me about incident. Kieran later told Joan that he’d enjoyed Richard’s performance in “Hildegarde” and Joan declared he should have told Richard that! But I think we all think of things we should have said afterwards.

Before Richard left I spoke to him again and asked if it was alright to take a few photographs. Richard agreed and I thought it would be nice if I could include a piece he’d liked. I asked if he purchased anything. He replied that he had brought the angel. I had enthused about it earlier to him but I was very surprised he had purchased. Unfortunately people were seated in front of this sculpture so I decided it would be better to move to the less busy side of gallery near a lady craved out of bluish-tinged stone. Joan came and joined us. Then I remembered I had some lychees in my bag for Richard (as this is not the season for mince pies). Nicholas kindly offered to take some photos of the three of us (with lychees).

I would really like to thank Nicholas for making it a relaxed and interesting experience. If you are ever in Eton drop into his gallery as he sells original, contemporary artwork that would not be out of place in your average home and who knows what investment you will have made for your great grandchildren.

Denise J Hale.

To read a report of the event by Joan, click here.

To have a look at part of the catalogue, click here.